Phototherapy: a new risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight preterm infants? a retrospective case–control study

Abstract

Abstract Objective To investigate the possible association between phototherapy (PT) and development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Study design A retrospective case-control study of VLBW infants with or without NEC (stage IIA or greater) born at ≤ 35 weeks’ gestation in a tertiary hospital over 7 years. Sample size calculation, trend test as well as univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed. Results 824 VLBW infants were reviewed, and 74 cases as well as 122 controls were finally enrolled. The odds of NEC increased with increasing PT duration and number respectively (trend P=0.010 and 0.033), and became higher after adjustment for confounders. Exposure to >120 hours and >4 numbers of PT were significantly associated with NEC in multivariate analysis. Conclusion This is the first study to propose a possible association between PT and development of NEC in VLBW infants.