ABSTRACT
The clinical outcomes of necrotizing enterocolitis are determined by numerous factors. These include the gestational age, birth weight, and comorbidities of the infant; the extent and severity of disease and consequent need for surgical intervention; the management of postoperative complications such as short bowel syndrome; the medical and surgical expertise of the neonatal intensive care unit; and the long-term care of the family and health care system. In this chapter, these clinical outcomes are discussed beginning with the factors that affect disease survival followed by an analysis of the short- and long-term morbidities of the disease. The incidence and characteristics of early surgical complications such as stoma, anastomotic, and wound-related problems are detailed together with a discussion of post-NEC intestinal strictures, recurrent NEC, enteric fistulae, short bowel syndrome, and intestinal failure–associated liver disease. Potential late surgical complications include adhesive bowel obstruction, perianastomotic ulceration, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Finally, the effects of NEC, and surgical NEC in particular, on growth and neurodevelopment are summarized.
