Objective To understand the nutritional intake and growth outcomes of very low birth weight infants with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Study design In a retrospective cohort study, linear mixed models were used to compare growth outcomes from birth to 24 months corrected age for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with surgical NEC to those with spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP). Kaplan-Meier curves were developed to demonstrate the duration of parenteral nutrition (PN) use. Result Height differed by surgical NEC and SIP over time (interaction p = 0.03). Surviving infants with surgical NEC had lower head circumference z-scores at 24 months. Of infants surviving surgical NEC, 71% received PN for >60 days after diagnosis. Conclusion The majority of infants with surgical NEC have a delay in achieving enteral autonomy. There was a difference in linear catch-up growth over time between infants with SIP and surgical NEC at 24 months.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether a regional quality improvement (QI) initiative decreased incidence and severity of surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Study Design A retrospective review of all VLBW infants who received care at one of the three hospitals involved in a NEC QI initiative from 2011 to 2016. Primary outcome was the number of surgical NEC cases per year. Secondary outcomes included associated outcomes and mortality. Results Sixty-three infants with either a diagnosis of Stage III NEC (n = 40) or spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) (n = 23) were included. The incidence of medical and surgical NEC and the mortality rate of infants with surgical NEC decreased over time. Incidence and mortality of SIP did not significantly change. Conclusion A regional QI bundle to reduce the overall incidence of NEC also significantly decreased the incidence of surgical NEC and all-cause mortality of infants diagnosed with surgical NEC. Key Points

Infants born with congenital gastroschisis are at risk for intrauterine growth restriction, small for gestational size at birth, and growth failure during the newborn period despite advanced care. Body composition provides a more complete picture of proportional growth than weight and length alone. Fatfree mass (FFM) represents organ growth, and in preterm infants without gastroschisis, improved FFM deposition is associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. There is limited literature regarding the body composition of infants with gastroschisis. This case series describes the body composition of 10 infants with gastroschisis.