{
  "abstract": "Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity. While risk factors are well documented in high-income countries, data from Latin American cohorts remain limited. We aimed to identify local predictors and clinical outcomes associated with NEC in two Chilean NICUs. A prospective multicenter cohort study (2017-2018) included newborns ≤32 weeks and/or ≤1,500 g. NEC (Bell stage ≥ IIA) was verified by a multidisciplinary team. Clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable penalized models to identify predictors of NEC and mortality. Among 177 newborns (mean GA 29.1 ± 3.0 weeks; BW 1,252 ± 448 g), NEC incidence was 7.9% (n = 14). In bivariate analysis, invasive mechanical ventilation (RR = 4.58; p = 0.02) and indomethacin (RR = 3.13; p = 0.04) were associated with NEC. In multivariable models, formula feeding was the most consistent predictor (OR = 2.69 vs. exclusive breast milk), though not statistically significant. Half of NEC cases (50%) were Bell stage IIIB. Surgery was required in 38.5% of cases (all stage IIIB; p = 0.009). Case fatality among NEC patients was 40%, associated with Bell stage IIIB (p = 0.048) and systemic shock (p = 0.048). Formula feeding was a consistent, though non-significant, predictor of NEC in multivariable analysis; the limited number of NEC cases (n = 14) precludes definitive causal inference. Exclusive breastfeeding remained the most protective feeding strategy, consistent with prior literature. Disease outcomes were driven by progression to Bell stage IIIB, and early monitoring of inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers may help identify infants at risk of progression to surgical NEC.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Hospital Carlos Van Buren, Valparaíso, Chile.",
    "Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.",
    "Hospital Clínico San Borja-Arriarán, Santiago, Chile.",
    "Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.",
    "Servicio de Neonatología, Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile.",
    "Hospital Sótero del Río, Santiago, Chile.",
    "Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Sótero del Río, Santiago, Chile.",
    "Instituto de Tecnología Para la Innovación en Salud y Bienestar (ITiSB)-UNAB, Viña del Mar, Chile."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Alejandra Sandoval C"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Luis Delpiano M"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2,
        3,
        4
      ],
      "name": "Miguel Ángel Pantoja H"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5,
        6
      ],
      "name": "Marta Aravena U"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5,
        6
      ],
      "name": "Jeanne Smith R"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5,
        6
      ],
      "name": "Hector Pérez A"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        7
      ],
      "name": "Sebastian Espinoza E"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5ztx4g52nmkz9.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fped.2026.1877057",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13713484",
  "id": "5ztx4g52nmkz9",
  "issns": [
    "2296-2360"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952806",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2916|Infant Nutrition and Health"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221833836",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13713484?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13713484",
  "pmid": "42952806",
  "published": "2026-10-14",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5ztx4g52nmkz9.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T00:20:41Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42952806",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952806"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T12:24:01Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13713484",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2026.1877057"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:F27",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Multicenter cohort of necrotizing enterocolitis in Latin America: evaluation of risk factors and clinical outcomes in Chilean Hospitals.",
  "title_text": "Multicenter cohort of necrotizing enterocolitis in Latin America: evaluation of risk factors and clinical outcomes in Chilean Hospitals.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-01T12:21:09Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5ztx4g52nmkz9",
  "venue": "Frontiers in pediatrics",
  "versions": []
}