Importance of early ileostomy closure to prevent chronic salt and water losses after necrotizing enterocolitis

Six infants with necrotizing enterocolitis were discharged after periods of prolonged hospitalization (two to nine months) with intact ileostomies. Their initial hospitalization was complicated by feeding difficulties, chronic diarrhea, sepsis, rickets, and developmental delay. All were rehospitalized within three months, with severe acidosis and dehydration after a presumed viral-type illness. Each had large-volume ileostomy output, which was rich in electrolytes and bicarbonate. A prolonged recovery phase (two to eight months) again was punctuated with episodes of diarrhea, problems in starting oral feeding, and sepsis. After reanastomosis of the remaining bowel, no infant has had a similar life-threatening episode. It is speculated that the infants' recurrent "salt-and-water-losing states" are secondary to either an anatomic or functional loss of the colon. This problem appears to be a poorly recognized sequela of bowel surgery and necrotizing enterocolitis, and early reanastomosis of discontinuous bowel should be of benefit.