Survival analysis and linear regression analysis of NEC severity scores vs. survival in Experiment 1.

(A) Kaplan-Meier survival estimates determined after the first IG feeding and expressed as percentage. Results were not significant. EA, n = 40; LA, n = 22. (B) Linear regression analysis of clinical NEC severity scores vs. survival after the first IG feeding performed on combined EA and LA groups. For each pig, the clinical NEC severity score represents the sum of clinical NEC severity scores (total score) in stomach, jejunum, ileum and colon. Clinical NEC severity scores were negatively correlated with survival (n = 62; P<0.001, R = 0.773). (C) Linear regression analysis of histological NEC severity scores vs. survival after the first IG feeding performed on combined EA and LA groups. For each pig, the histological NEC severity score represents the sum of clinical NEC severity scores (total score) in jejunum, ileum and colon. Histological NEC severity scores were negatively correlated with survival (n = 62; P<0.001, R = 0.780). EA, early abrupt; LA, late abrupt.