Surgical Decision Making in Necrotising Enterocolitis: A Prospective Qualitative Study of Surgeons with Patient Outcome Follow-Up

What this Trial Is About

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious bowel inflammation mainly affecting premature babies, often within the first few weeks of life. This condition can lead to critical illness, with some infants requiring surgery to remove dead bowel tissue. Unfortunately, many babies do not survive or experience long-term health challenges. Surgeons face difficulties deciding when surgery is needed, as delays or premature operations can worsen outcomes. This observational study aims to understand current surgical decision-making and how it relates to baby outcomes, including survival and development at 2 years. The study involves interviewing consultant paediatric surgeons about their decision-making after reviewing infants suspected or confirmed to have NEC. Parents are asked for consent to follow up their infants' health through data linkage with a national neonatal database. The study tracks infants from initial surgical review through hospital discharge and up to two years of age, focusing on survival, feeding ability, further surgeries, and neurodevelopment. Participants will be involved through interviews with surgeons and consent for outcome follow-up. Data collected includes detailed clinical information from routine neonatal records. Researchers will analyze survival rates at 52 weeks corrected gestational age and again at 2 years, along with nutritional dependence and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This comprehensive approach aims to link surgical decisions with short- and long-term infant health results.

Qualitative Study of Surgeons With Prospective Patient Follow-up