%0 Journal Article
%T Phototherapy: a new risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight preterm infants? a retrospective case-control study.
%A Li J
%A Zhong XY
%A Zhou LG
%A Wu Y
%A Wang L
%A Song SJ
%J J Perinatol
%V 43
%N 11
%D 2023 11 7
%M 37550528
%F 3.225
%R 10.1038/s41372-023-01744-y
%X To investigate the association between phototherapy (PT) and the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.<BR>A retrospective case-control study was conducted on VLBW infants with or without NEC (stage IIA or greater) born at ≤35 weeks' gestation in a tertiary hospital over 7 years. Sample size calculation, trend test, as well as univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed.<BR>A total of 824 VLBW infants were reviewed, with 74 cases and 122 controls finally enrolled. The odds of NEC increased with the duration and number of PT sessions. Exposure to >120 h and >4 instances of PT were significantly associated with NEC in multivariate analysis.<BR>This is the first study suggesting a potential association between PT and development of NEC in VLBW infants. This association needs further exploration.