Cholestasis is associated with a higher rate of complications in both medical and surgical necrotizing enterocolitis

Objective To evaluate the relationship between cholestasis and outcomes in medical and surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Study design A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 1472 infants with NEC [455 medical (mNEC) and 1017 surgical (sNEC)] from the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Database. Results The prevalence of cholestasis was lower in mNEC versus sNEC (38.2% vs 70.1%, p 75th percentile [mNEC: OR 1.21 (95% CI 1.06–1.38); sNEC: OR 1.06 (95% CI 1.03–1.09)]. Conclusion Cholestasis with both medical NEC and surgical NEC is associated with adverse patient outcomes including increased mortality or extreme length of stay.