Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Published on 21/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Pediatrics

Last modified 21/03/2015

Print this page

rate 1 star rate 2 star rate 3 star rate 4 star rate 5 star
Your rating: none, Average: 0 (0 votes)

This article have been viewed 922 times

Chapter 52 Necrotizing Enterocolitis

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common acquired gastrointestinal (GI) disease among sick newborns and is the single most common surgical emergency among newborns. It is a spectrum of illness that varies from a mild, self-limiting process to a severe disorder characterized by inflammation and diffuse or patchy necrosis in the mucosal and submucosal layers of the intestine. The cause of NEC has been the focus of research for over 30 years; although many theories have been proposed, however, the pathogenesis remains elusive and controversial. Most researchers agree that, regardless of the initiating event(s), the pathogenesis of NEC is multifactorial. At present, the etiology is thought to involve three major pathologic mechanisms occurring in combination to create a favorable disease environment: ischemic injury to the bowel, bacterial colonization of the bowel, and the presence of a substrate such as formula.

The hypoxic or ischemic injury causes a reduced blood flow to the bowel. Birth asphyxia, umbilical artery cannulation, persistence of a patent ductus arteriosus, respiratory distress syndrome, maternal cocaine abuse, and/or exchange transfusion may be the initiating factor(s). Intestinal hypoperfusion damages the intestinal mucosa, and the mucosal cells lining the bowel stop secreting protective enzymes. Bacteria, whose proliferation is aided by enteral feedings (substrate), invade the damaged intestinal mucosa. Bacterial invasion results in further intestinal damage because of the release of bacterial toxins and hydrogen gas. The gas initially dissects into the serosal and submucosal layers of the bowel (pneumatosis intestinalis). The gas may also rupture through the bowel into the mesenteric vascular bed, where it can be distributed to the venous system of the liver (portal venous air). The bacterial toxins in combination with ischemia result in necrosis. Full-thickness bowel necrosis results in perforation, with the resulting release of free air into the peritoneal cavity (pneumoperitoneum) and peritonitis. This chain of events is considered a surgical emergency.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

The onset of NEC occurs most commonly between days 3 and 12 of life, but it can occur as early as the first 24 hours of life or as late as 90 days of age. The disease is characterized by a broad range of signs and symptoms that reflect the differences in severity, complications, and mortality of the disease. Typically, suspected NEC (stage I) consists of nonspecific clinical findings that represent physiologic instability and may resemble the findings of other common conditions in premature infants. These include the following:

Proven NEC (stage II) consists of the aforementioned nonspecific clinical findings plus the following:

Advanced NEC (stage III) occurs when the infant becomes acutely ill with peritonitis and/or radiographic evidence of intestinal perforation. Associated signs and symptoms include the following: