A Multi-Center Survey of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Prevention Strategies in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Xiaoshan Hu, Miao Qian, Wenjuan Chen, Shushu Li, Xiaohui Chen, Shuping Han Department of Pediatrics, Nanjing Women and Children’s Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Shuping Han, Department of Pediatrics, Nanjing Women and Children’s Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 025-52226578, Email [email protected]: To compare the prevention practices of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) across 17 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in China.Methods: A web-based survey was sent to 17 level 3 NICUs in China on September 21, 2023, to evaluate the prevention strategies for NEC.Results: All 17 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) responded to the survey. There was significant variation in the initial empirical use of antibiotics for early-onset sepsis, late-onset sepsis, and NEC among different NICUs. Out of the 17 NICUs, only 5 (29.4%) used donor human milk. Additionally, 15 (88.2%) NICUs performed routine echocardiography (Echo) in preterm infants after birth to evaluate cardiac function and/or Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) status. Out of those 15 NICUs, 11 (73.3%) performed Echo within 24 to 72 hours after birth. Furthermore, 8 NICUs (47.1%) did not alter enteral nutrition management during drug treatment for PDA, while 12 NICUs (70.6%) stopped 1 or 2 feeds during red blood cell transfusion.Conclusion: The findings of this survey conducted through questionnaires revealed both differences and similarities in the strategies employed to prevent NEC in 17 NICUs in China.Keywords: very low birth weight infants, necrotizing enterocolitis, survey, prevention strategies