Necrotising Enterocolitis and Systemic Inflammation: Placental Pathology and Haematological Markers of Mortality

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease that affects premature neonates. Associated mortality has not changed appreciably over the past several decades. The underlying aetiology of NEC remains elusive, although bacterial colonization of the gut, formula feeding, and perinatal stress have been implicated as risk factors. We aimed to characterize clinical indicators predicting mortality from NEC.