Early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis by gastrointestinal tonometry.

The diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates has traditionally depended on a combination of clinical signs, biochemical parameters and radiological changes. The measurement of intramucosal pH by gastrointestinal tonometry provides a simple means of long-term monitoring which may detect the development of NEC before conventional techniques. We present our experience of tonometry in two 'at risk' term neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.