All issues > Volume 52(1); 2009

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2009;52(1):56-60. Published online January 15, 2009.

Rotavirus-associated neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

Hyun Joo HJ Seo¹, Yu Jin YJ Jung¹, Soo Kyung SK Park¹, Seo Hui SH Choi¹, Ji Hyuk JH Lee¹, Myo Jing MJ Kim¹, Yun Sil YS Chang¹, Won Soon WS Park¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Won Soon WS Park ,Email: wonspark@skku.edu

Abstract

Purpose
: This study aimed to test whether rotavirus-associated necrotizing enterocolitis (RV+NEC) produced different clinical findings or outcomes from those of non-rotavirus necrotizing enterocolitis (RV-NEC).
Methods
: Eight patients from the RV+NEC group and 22 patients from the RV-NEC group diagnosed with modified Bell stage II or higher NEC were selected for this study. Fecal specimens from all infants were tested for rotavirus infection using a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Clinical, radiographic, and clinical outcome data were analyzed retrospectively.
Results
: RV+NEC infants had a significantly higher birth weight and were born at a significantly higher gestational age (33.5¡¾3.3 weeks vs. 29.3¡¾4.4 weeks; P=0.01). There were no differences in the occurrence of thrombocytopenia, mural gas, and pneumoperitoneum between the 2 groups. However, portal vein gas was more common in the RV+NEC group (88% vs. 9%; P<0.01). Neither the incidence of Bell stage III (or higher) NEC nor surgical intervention differed between the two groups. The number of complications and mortality rates were also similar.
Conclusion
: Rotavirus-associated NEC occurs in infants with a higher birth weight and those born at a greater gestational age. However, the severity of the condition and the resulting outcomes did not differ from those for infants affected by non-rotavirus NEC.

Keywords :Rotavirus infections, Enterocolitis, Necrotizing, Newborn