Variable management strategies for NEC totalis: a national survey

Dimethyl fumarate protects against intestine damage in necrotizing enterocolitis by inhibiting the Toll-like receptor (TLR) inflammatory signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe disease in newborns, this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on NEC and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

In vivo, the mice were divided into the control, NEC, and NEC+DMF group. The NEC model was established by artificial feeding, hypoxic for 4 days, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation on day 2 and day 3. DMF (25 mg/kg/d) was administered to NEC mice on day 1 and day 3. On the 11th day, the blood and intestinal tissues of mice were taken for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), pathological examination, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical (IHC) detection. In vitro, human colorectal cells (FHC) were induced by LPS (100 ng/mL) and was divided into the control, LPS, and LPS+DMF group. The effect of DMF (20 μM) on cell viability and TLR4 signal transduction was detected by MTT and RT-qPCR, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared to the NEC mice, DMF attenuated NEC-induced weight loss and abdominal distension diarrhea in mice, and alleviated NEC-induced intestinal pathological injuries. In addition, DMF reduced the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and TLR4 in NEC mice intestinal tissues. Furthermore, DMF inhibited NEC-induced intestinal cell apoptosis as well as the protein expression of BCL2-Associated X (BAX), caspase-3, caspase-9, and increased Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) expression. In vitro, DMF improved cell viability, and restrained NF-κB and TLR4 expression in LPS-induced NEC cells.

CONCLUSION

DMF has a protective effect against intestine damage of NEC, which is related to the inhibition of the TLR signaling pathway, alleviating the inflammatory response.

Ethical dilemmas in the management of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis totalis

PURPOSE

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) totalis is a devastating disease of the newborn intestine. A precise clinical definition of the extent of gastrointestinal involvement is lacking in the existing literature, and the clinical outcomes are typically viewed as grim.

METHODS

Herein, we present a series of clinical case examples of patients with varying degrees of NEC totalis and other co-morbid conditions, with possible anticipated outcomes based on current data.

RESULTS

We define the key ethical issues and provide a framework and discussion of the ethical issues involved in the care of patients with NEC totalis and recommendations of how to approach discussions with the family of these patients We discuss the ethical considerations for both the providers caring for these patients, and the patient's family members.

CONCLUSION

The management of patients with NEC totalis is complex and ethically challenging.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Characteristics and outcomes of a multi-institution cohort of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis totalis

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the presentation, management and outcomes of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis totalis (tNEC) vs surgical non-totalis NEC (sNEC).

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective study identified infants undergoing surgery for NEC through The Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database. Demographic, surgical and mortality characteristics were compared.

RESULTS

Of 1059 infants, 161 (15.2%) had tNEC. Perinatal characteristics did not differ. tNEC infants were older and were less likely to have pneumoperitoneum at referral (5.6% vs 13.1%, p < 0.001) or intestinal perforation at surgery (38.5% vs 66.7%, p < 0.001). Infants with tNEC were more acidotic preoperatively (7.1, [IQR 7, 7.3] vs 7.3, [IQR 7.2, 7.4], p < 0.001). Mortality was 96.9% for tNEC and 26.5% for sNEC (p < 0.001). tNEC cases varied by center, accounting for 0-43% of all surgical NEC cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality is high for tNEC infants, who present at older age, with greater illness severity but are less likely to have intestinal perforation than sNEC infants.

Quality Improvement Efforts Reduce Incidence of Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Related Deaths

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether a regional quality improvement (QI) initiative decreased incidence and severity of surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review of all VLBW infants who received care at one of the three hospitals involved in a NEC QI initiative from 2011 to 2016. Primary outcome was the number of surgical NEC cases per year. Secondary outcomes included associated outcomes and mortality.

RESULTS

Sixty-three infants with either a diagnosis of Stage III NEC (n = 40) or spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) (n = 23) were included. The incidence of medical and surgical NEC and the mortality rate of infants with surgical NEC decreased over time. Incidence and mortality of SIP did not significantly change.

CONCLUSION

A regional QI bundle to reduce the overall incidence of NEC also significantly decreased the incidence of surgical NEC and all-cause mortality of infants diagnosed with surgical NEC.

KEY POINTS

· QI reduces surgical necrotizing enterocolitis.. · Reduction in NEC rate improves mortality.. · Human milk does not change SIP incidence..

Addressing ethical clinical dilemmas with quality improvement methodology

Application of Quality Improvement methodology to nuanced clinical scenarios may be useful to ensure consistent delivery of equitable and comprehensive care. The purpose of this article is to inform the pediatric surgical readership of opportunities where quality improvement methodology may aid in navigating ethical nuances of complex surgical care. We present three case scenarios and discuss how quality improvement methodology could be utilized to address issues of provider autonomy, patient autonomy, and justice.