Einstein (São Paulo) (Sep 2007)
Effect of prenatal corticotherapy on the outcome of necrotizing enterocolitis newborns
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prenatalcorticotherapy and neonatal outcome in newborns with necrotizingenterocolitis. Methods: This was a retrospective study evaluating 173newborns diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. Newborns weredivided into two groups, with group 1 containing subjects who hadreceived corticoids in the prenatal period, and group 2 with those whohad not received the drug. The two groups were then compared accordingto perinatal parameters and clinical progression. Results: The meanbirth weight was 1380.2 g for group 1 and 1279.5 g for group 2 (p >0.05); mean gestational age was 32 weeks for group 1 and 33 weeksfor group 2 (p > 0.05); 98.6% of the neonates in group 1 and 82.7% ingroup 2 were preterm (p = 0.001); mean time for symptom onset was16 days for group 1 and 12 days for group 2 (p > 0.05). Upon diagnosis,26.1% were Bell III in group 1 versus 27.9% in group 2 (p > 0.05); forBell staging progression, 39.1% of the neonates in group 1, and 37.5%in group 2 were classified as Bell III (p > 0.05). The most often clinicalcomplication in both groups was intestinal perforation. The meanhospital stay was 52 days in group 1 and 46 days in group 2 (p >0.05). The mortality rate was 23.2% in group 1 and 20.2% in group 2(p > 0.05). Conclusion: Prenatal corticotherapy was not associatedwith clinical outcome improvement in neonates with NEC.
