The Role Sonographic Imaging Features in the Prediction of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Outcomes in Neonatal Patients

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract that represents
asignificant source of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. The objective of the current study is to
find out the correlation between sonographic imaging features and the outcomes of necrotizing enterocolitis
in children , and their role as a predictive tool for the consequences resulted from necrotizing enterocolitis.
Thirty two children (patients) have been included in this study, patients were divided into three groups
according to the follow up outcomes: those that been recovered (Group I), those that needed surgery (Group
II) , and those that died (Group III). The study was achieved at Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital in Al-Najaf
City, in Iraq , during the period between December 2020 to March 2021 .The results showed that there is a
significant difference (P value <0.05) among the three groups in terms of the following items : fluid-filled
dilated bowel loop, decreased peristaltic movement, focal fluid collection , portal gas .The study concluded
that the presence of Fluid-filled dilated bowel loop, peristaltic movement, local fluid collection , portal gas
can be considered as predictive tool for the poor outcomes of necrotizing enterocolitis .