1 Neonatal Associates, P.C., 100 Michigan St, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
To the Editor.
We were amazed at the report on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and feeding practice (Pediatrics 1986;77:275-280). The rate of necrotizing enterocolitis in both groups of patients is astronomical and yet acceptable to the authors.
During a 2-year period in our neonatal intensive care unit, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis was 9/1,114 admissions (0.08%). The incidence in infants with birth weights less than 1,500 g was 8/159 (3.08%); for infants with birth weights less than 1,000 g it was 3/101 (2.9%).