Prediction of GutCheck NEC and Its Relation to Severity of Illness and Measures of Deterioration in Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) risk has been shown to arise from multiple sources and risk awareness may be supported using bedside tools. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which GutCheck NEC was associated with scores for clinical deterioration, severity of illness, and clinical outcome, and further to examine how scores might improve NEC prediction. METHODS: A retrospective, correlational case-control study with infant data from 3 affiliated neonatal intensive care units was conducted. RESULTS: Of 132 infants (44 cases, 88 controls), most were 28 weeks of gestation at birth and less (74%). Median age at NEC onset was 18 days (range: 6-34 days), with two-thirds diagnosed before 21 days. At 68 hours of life, higher GutCheck NEC scores were associated with NEC requiring surgery or resulting in death (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 1.06, P = .036), associations that persisted at 24 hours prior to diagnosis (RRR = 1.05, P = .046), and at the time of diagnosis (RRR = 1.05, P = .022) but showed no associations for medical NEC. GutCheck NEC scores were significantly correlated with pediatric early warning scores (PEWS) ( r > 0.30; P < .005) and SNAPPE-II scores ( r > 0.44, P < .0001). Increasing numbers of clinical signs and symptoms were positively associated with GutCheck NEC and PEWS at the time of diagnosis ( r = 0.19, P = .026; and r = 0.25, P = .005, respectively). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: GutCheck NEC provides structure to streamline assessment and communication about NEC risk. Yet, it is not intended to be diagnostic. Research is needed on how GutCheck NEC impacts timely recognition and treatment.

The ConNECtion Between Abdominal Signs and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Infants 501 to 1500 g.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) can become severe quickly, making early recognition a priority and understanding the occurrence of abdominal and clinical signs of impending NEC important. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships of abdominal signs up to 36 hours before diagnosis of NEC within subgroups treated medically, surgically, or those who died. METHODS: A 3-site, descriptive correlational case-control design with retrospective data collection was used matching each NEC case to 2 controls (N = 132). RESULTS: NEC cases were exposed to less human milk and fed later. Among them, 61% (n = 27) had at least 1 abdominal sign 36 hours before diagnosis, with fewer numbers having 2 (18%; n = 8) or 3 (5%; n = 2). At 36 hours before NEC, abdominal distension, duskiness, higher gastric residual, and greater count of abdominal signs were associated with severe NEC. No medical NEC cases had abdominal signs 36 or 24 hours before diagnosis. Highest severity of NEC was related to more abdominal signs at the times leading up to and at diagnosis of NEC. Gastric residuals were largely unrelated to NEC except for the most severe NEC at 36 hours before diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Communicating a count of abdominal signs may support earlier recognition and treatment of NEC. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: More research is needed to explore timing for clinical worsening of status (eg, surgical and NEC leading to death) and to study effective clinical approaches targeting early recognition to support timely action.

NEC-zero recommendations from scoping review of evidence to prevent and foster timely recognition of necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Although decades have focused on unraveling its etiology, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a chief threat to the health of premature infants. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to varying rates of disease across neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to present a scoping review with two new meta-analyses, clinical recommendations, and implementation strategies to prevent and foster timely recognition of NEC. METHODS: Using the Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) framework, we conducted a stakeholder-engaged scoping review to classify strength of evidence and form implementation recommendations using GRADE criteria across subgroup areas: 1) promoting human milk, 2) feeding protocols and transfusion, 3) timely recognition strategies, and 4) medication stewardship. Sub-groups answered 5 key questions, reviewed 11 position statements and 71 research reports. Meta-analyses with random effects were conducted on effects of standardized feeding protocols and donor human milk derived fortifiers on NEC. RESULTS: Quality of evidence ranged from very low (timely recognition) to moderate (feeding protocols, prioritize human milk, limiting antibiotics and antacids). Prioritizing human milk, feeding protocols and avoiding antacids were strongly recommended. Weak recommendations (i.e. "probably do it") for limiting antibiotics and use of a standard timely recognition approach are presented. Meta-analysis of data from infants weighing <1250 g fed donor human milk based fortifier had reduced odds of NEC compared to those fed cow's milk based fortifier (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.13, 1.00; p = 0.05; 4 studies, N = 1164). Use of standardized feeding protocols for infants <1500 g reduced odds of NEC by 67% (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.17, 0.65, p = 0.001; 9 studies; N = 4755 infants). Parents recommended that NEC information be shared early in the NICU stay, when feedings were adjusted, or feeding intolerance occurred via print and video materials to supplement verbal instruction. DISCUSSION: Evidence for NEC prevention is of sufficient quality to implement. Implementation that addresses system-level interventions that engage the whole team, including parents, will yield the best impact to prevent NEC and foster its timely recognition.