Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Infants with Periventricular Hemorrhagic Infarction: Associations and Outcomes

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and periventricular hemorrhagic infarction (PVHI) are complications of prematurity associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Objectives: We characterized temporal and causal associations between NEC and type of PVHI as well as associations with outcomes. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study of infants with birth weight 70 was greatest for infants with unilateral PVHI versus bilateral PVHI, although the presence of NEC was associated with worse cognitive outcomes in both groups. Conclusions: Premature infants with PVHI often subsequently develop NEC, especially if they have bilateral PVHI and are exposed to indomethacin. While NEC results in worse neurodevelopmental outcomes, PVHI severity appears more important to the outcome of these infants.