“…(A) Demographics (gestational age, birth weight, sex); (B) Other known risk factors for NEC or bowel perforation (formula feeding and lack of breast milk exposure [19]; maternal syphilis [20]; weight below third centile for gestational age [21]; cardiac anomalies [22]; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (Nurofen) received for patent ductus arteriosus closure [23,24]; blood transfusion in previous 48 hours [25]; umbilical line placement and polycythemia [26]; multiple birth; no antenatal steroid exposure [27,28]; hypoxic events causing impaired bowel blood flow [29] including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; inotrope exposure preceding NEC development; maternal cocaine or methamphetamine abuse [29,30]; maternal preeclampsia/hypertension, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets; and hypogylycemic insults [31] as well as neonatal and maternal perinatal sepsis [32]); (C) Disease presentation and surrogate markers for disease severity (bacteremia detected on blood culture); radiologic markers of severe NEC, SNAPPE II, and CRIB II scores [33][34][35][36]; metabolic parameters (pH, base excess, lactate, serum sodium, hyperglycemia), hematologic (white cell, polymorph, platelet count, international normalized ratio [INR], C-reactive protein levels [37][38][39]) and hemodynamic parameters (inotrope requirements [40]); and fulminant presentation (gangrenous bowel within 24 hours of presentation) [41]; (D) Surgical findings (total gut necrosis, isolated perforation as opposed to multiple perforations [42,43]) and type of surgery done (peritoneal drains [44], primary anastomosis [45], stoma [46]). Surgery was performed either by or under the supervision of experienced pediatric surgeons according to a departmental protocol.…”