What is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)?
"Necrosis" or "necrotizing" means the death of some or all of the tissue in an organ. "Enterocolitis" means inflammation of the small and large intestines.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease of newborn babies in which parts of the lining of their intestines becomes inflamed and dies.
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NEC happens most often in babies who are premature or very sick
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Your baby may have a swollen belly, throw up, and have bloody stool (poop)
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Doctors treat NEC by stopping feeding, using a suction tube in the stomach, and giving feedings and antibiotics by vein (IV)
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NEC is life-threatening, but about 3 out of 4 babies survive
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After having NEC, babies may have a narrowed intestine and need surgery
What causes NEC?
Doctors don't know exactly what causes NEC, but it probably involves:
The poor blood flow can allow normal bacteria in the intestine to attack the lining of the intestine. The lining becomes inflamed and bleeds.
The biggest risk factor for NEC is:
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Being born too early (premature birth)
Other things that increase the risk of NEC include:
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Your water broke too soon (premature rupture of membranes) and your baby got an infection
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Baby being too small (small for gestational age)
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Poor blood flow or low oxygen levels in your baby before, during, or after birth (perinatal asphyxia)
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Birth defects of the heart
What are the symptoms of NEC?
Babies with NEC usually look very sick. They usually also have:
What are the complications of NEC?
NEC can progress to affect the whole wall of the intestine and cause a:
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Hole in the intestine (intestinal perforation)
Fluid and bacteria leak out of the hole into your child's tummy and cause a serious infection called peritonitis.
After NEC heals, your child's intestine may be scarred in places. After a few months, the scarring can partly close off the intestine and make it hard for digested food to go through (intestinal obstruction).
