Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) - Necrotizing Enterocolitis is an infection of the intestines that causes inflammation, interior abdominal damage, and tissue death. This is a disease that is mostly found in very premature babies (less than 3 ½ pounds, or 1600 grams), and generally occurs within 2 weeks of your baby's birth. The problems begin to appear after feeding has started. A premature baby that is fed breast-milk will have a decreased chance of developing this disease than the premature baby receiving formula and other kinds of nutritional supplements.
It is currently unknown what the actual cause of NEC is, but there are a few theories floating around. Decreased blood flow and oxygen levels seem to be problem among premature babies encouraging an environment for the growth of bacteria in the intestines. Bacterium permeates the abdominal area causing complications that can be life-threatening to your premature baby if not treated quickly. Some other suspected reasons are a difficult delivery, too many red blood cells, and body immaturity.
There are many symptoms of NEC and some of the symptoms are:
General signs of illness
Eating less or feeding reactions
Bloated, red, and tender abdomen
Diminished bowel sounds
Abdominal fluid
Constipation or diarrhea with blood
Listlessness
Apnea
Bradycardia
Peritonitis
Shock
Many of the symptoms listed above are common, but a few of them can indicate very serious problems. Your premature baby may have just a few of these symptoms or many depending on the severity of her necrotizing enterocolitis. Treating these symptoms as well as treating the actual disease is a top priority by hospital staff for the survival of your premature baby. It can take several weeks for your premature baby to recover from NEC.
Necrotizing enterocolitis is diagnosed by using an x-ray to determine if air, fluid, or holes can be seen in the intestines or abdominal cavity, and is treated using several methods. The most effective methods depend on the severity and types of problems that your premature baby is presenting. Treatments may include antibiotics, IV, more x-rays, no feedings for a while, a tube into the stomach to keep it empty, oxygen, stringent cleanliness procedures for all people coming in contact with your premature baby, and/or surgery, with a stoma after the removal of damaged portions of the bowel.
An average of about 82% of the premature babies diagnosed with NEC will survive. Premature babies under 3 ½ pounds will have a significantly higher mortality rate, averaging around 40%. In recent years, technology has advanced a great deal giving these babies a fighting chance that they never had before. As time marches on more advances will be made to increase the positive averages in the survival rates of premature babies.
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