Incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in South Korea from 2007 to 2017

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the trends of the incidence of and mortality from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in South Korea. Methods Claim data were extracted with diagnosis code, including all stage of NEC. Kaplan–Meier curves for cumulative mortality rates are presented by birth weight (Bwt) and gestational age (GA). Result The total number of NEC cases was 5840. The ratio of males to females was 1.2:1. There were 11.9 cases per 10,000 births. There were approximately 10 cases per 1000 preterm births and 50 per 1000 very preterm births. The mortality of patients born under 37 weeks decreased from 38.7% in 2007 to 20.9% in 2017. Male sex, lower GA, and lower Bwt were risk factors for mortality. Conclusions NEC incidence and mortality have been decreasing over time in South Korea. Male sex, lower GA, and Bwt were risk factors for mortality.