Introducing multi‐modal enteral medication reduced morbidity and mortality associated with necrotising enterocolitis

AIM: Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is still a disease with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to analyse retrospectively whether the introduction of a multi‐modal three‐component enteral medication regimen resulted in a change in morbidity and mortality in neonates with NEC. METHODS: When diagnosis of NEC was established, the following multi‐modal three‐component enteral medication regimen was administered enterally (via nasogastric tube): an antibiotic, an antifungal agent and a probiotic. The primary outcome parameters were intestinal perforation, surgical interventions and mortality during the observational periods. RESULTS: In the study period, 2212 patients were admitted to the NICU, out of which 200 (9%) developed NEC. Significantly fewer infants died in the Intervention Group (13 of 104 infants, 13%) compared to the Control Group (38 of 96 infants, 40%) (P = .0001). No infant in the Intervention Group (0%) presented with an intestinal perforation, as compared to 15 infants (16%) within the Control Group (P = .0001). In the Control Group, 21 infants (22%) needed surgical intervention, whereas 0 (0%) infants needed this in the Intervention Group. CONCLUSION: The introduction of an enteral multi‐modal three‐component medication regimen resulted in a significant reduction of mortality and of need for surgical intervention in infants suffering from NEC.