Are premature infants with Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation sicker than others?

Spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) is a focal gastrointestinal complication which is diagnosed in up to 5% of the very low birth weight infants. Purpose - This retrospective case control study was designed to investigate perinatal and neonatal risk factors for SIP in premature infants who developed a SIP over a 13 years period in a single NICU. Methods - A total of 40 very low birth weight infants were include in this study. Results demonstrated that infants who developed SIP were more likely to have been born via cesarean section (80% compared to 45%, p = 0.048). They were also more likely to have been fed later (average day after delivery 3 compared to 2, p = 0.039), and were more likely to have received blood transfusions prior to SIP [OR = 7.7 (95%CI = 1.084–55.049), P = 0.041]. Infants with SIP were more likely to have received non-invasive respiratory support [OR = 0.105 (95%CI = 0.015–0.755) p = 0.025]. Conclusions - These characteristics may imply that these infants are merely sicker and hence more prone to suffer from SIP.