Risk Factors Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants

Objective: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most severe gastrointestinal disorders in preterm infants and is characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of clinical and demographic differences in infants who develop NEC may improve risk stratification, timely diagnosis, and targeted prevention strategies.Methods:This retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare the demographic, maternal, and clinical characteristics of preterm infants with and without NEC in a tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 40 preterm infants were included and categorized into two groups: the NEC group (n = 18) and the control group (n = 22). Data on perinatal risk factors, demographic variables, and clinical outcomes were obtained from hospital records. Comparative analyses were performed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, with significance defined as p<0.05.Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of gestational age, birth weight, mode of delivery, or Apgar scores. Small for gestational age (SGA) status was more frequent in the NEC group. The mean hematocrit levels were significantly elevated in infants with NEC (52.44 ± 7.38%) compared to controls (46.11 ± 5.97%; p = 0.006). Other clinical variables, such as the need for mechanical ventilation and the presence of umbilical venous catheters, showed no significant differences between the groups.Conclusions: Elevated hematocrit levels and being SGA were more commonly observed in infants who developed NEC, supporting the multifactorial nature of the disease and highlighting the value of close hematologic and nutritional monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of close monitoring of hematological parameters and individualized nutritional strategies in high-risk preterm infants. Further prospective, large-scale studies are needed to validate these associations and inform evidence-based preventive and therapeutic interventions.