Role of ultrasonography in the management of necrotising enterocolitis: time for routine practice?
Bethell, George S Jones, Ian Hall, Nigel J
Bethell, George S
Jones, Ian
Hall, Nigel J
Abstract
In 1986, Walsh and Kliegman published the modified Bell criteria for stratifying necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). In the four decades since, very little has changed—the criteria they proposed for each stage are widely used and the treatment options are essentially the same. Management of NEC remains basic: a cessation of feeding, gastric decompression and intravenous antibiotics. Some babies undergo surgery. This would not be an issue but for the fact that outcomes for NEC remain poor. The majority of babies who contract NEC will either die or have lifelong sequelae. This is in contrast to outcomes for the majority of preterm babies who do not contract NEC which are generally good and have seen consistent year-on-year improvements.
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Date
2026-05-12
Type
Article
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Citation
Bethell GS, Jones I, Hall NJ. Role of ultrasonography in the management of necrotising enterocolitis: time for routine practice? Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2026 May 12:fetalneonatal-2026-330521. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2026-330521. Epub ahead of print.