A critical question for NEC researchers: Can we create a consensus definition of NEC that facilitates research progress?

Necrotising Enterocolitis - epidemiology and imaging

“…12 With few exceptions, the common prerequisites are, as stated by Sántulli et.al. in 1975, an injury to the intestine, the presence of bacteria, and availability of substrate for the bacteria, typically infant formula.…”

“…1 During the last decade, advocates of so called NEC reductionism have emphasised the need to delimit NEC against other acquired neonatal intestinal diseases (ANIDs) and differentiate between NEC of different origin. [9][10][11][12] …”

“…12,27 The early onset of term and near-term infants is thought to be due to an immediately precipitating perinatal event. 10,11 A very early onset in an extremely premature infant may suggest Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation (SIP) rather than NEC.…”

“…4 Suggestions for subdivision of NEC of different origin have followed. 12 Battersby et.al. recently reported on an attempt to create a propensity score for NEC, based on the sensitivity and specificity of a carefully selected combination of clinical and radiographical signs together with the probability of NEC at different gestational ages.…”

“…212,213 NEC, however, significantly increases the risk. [212][213][214] Stricture of the bowel may occur after medical NEC, sometimes even in not confirmed cases, 12 but is more common after surgical NEC. In a Chinese study of 464 neonates with NEC, post-NEC strictures were predicted by a pronounced inflammatory response in the acute phase, expressed as a prolonged and accentuated elevation of C-reactive protein, thrombocytopenia, and clinical signs of peritonitis.…”