Table 2 a Meta-analysis of abdominal ultrasound (US) features predictive of surgical NEC. b Meta-analysis of abdominal ultrasound (US) features predictive of surgical NEC or death.

From: Methods of identifying surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis—a systematic review and meta-analysis

 

Studies

Infants (n)

Odds ratio (95% CI)

Absent bowel wall perfusion

2

84

142.89 (15.65–1305.00)

Pneumoperitoneum

2

138

43.42 (7.24–260.25)

Absent peristalsis

2

293

18.56 (1.29–266.89)

Focal fluid collection

4

203

15.46 (4.81–49.66)

Complex fluid collection

4

203

12.36 (4.96–30.81)

Thickened bowel wall

6

644

4.72 (1.17–19.06)

Thinned bowel wall

5

460

4.26 (0.46–39.37)

Intramural gas

7

671

3.29 (1.35–7.99)

Portal venous gas

7

502

3.00 (1.15–7.80)

Increased bowel wall perfusion

4

222

2.51 (0.18–35.55)

Bowel wall echogenicity

1

83

2.36 (0.62–9.01)

Simple free fluid

4

377

1.50 (0.36–6.30)

Dilated bowel

1

84

0.66 (0.21–2.07)

 

Studies

Infants (n)

Odds ratio (95% CI)

Complex fluid collection

4

180

15.96 (6.53–38.98)

Pneumoperitoneum

7

586

11.00 (3.03–39.94)

Absent bowel wall perfusion

3

120

6.99 (2.06–23.76)

Focal fluid collection

5

336

6.72 (1.37–33.09)

Bowel wall echogenicity

3

121

6.00 (1.74–20.63)

Absent peristalsis

5

390

5.46 (1.60–18.69)

Thinned bowel wall

5

266

4.08 (1.08–15.37)

Thickened bowel wall

8

611

3.87 (2.61–5.75)

Dilated bowel

3

305

3.81 (2.21–6.55)

Portal venous gas

8

611

3.70 (1.62–8.46)

Increased bowel wall perfusion

4

180

3.44 (0.58–20.19)

Simple free fluid

8

611

2.75 (0.73–10.32)

Intramural gas

8

611

2.35 (1.17–4.72)

  1. Odds ratio represents odds of surgical NEC (2a) or surgical NEC or death (2b) versus medical NEC if US feature is present. Ordered by odds ratios.