Hexosaminidase: a biochemical marker for necrotizing enterocolitis in the preterm infant.

To evaluate hexosaminidase as a biochemical marker for the early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants, 33 preterm infants without necrotizing enterocolitis and 18 preterm infants with necrotizing enterocolitis had hexosaminidase activity measured during the course of their hospitalization. Although hexosaminidase activity could not identify those preterm infants with necrotizing enterocolitis who had impending perforation, the data strongly suggest that measurements of serum hexosaminidase activity may provide an early biochemical indication of the presence of necrotizing enterocolitis in the preterm infant. Hopefully, early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis in these infants will reduce the morbidity and mortality of this disease.