Necrotizing enterocolitis | |
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Radiograph of a baby with necrotizing enterocolitis | |
Specialty | Pediatrics, gastroenterology, neonatology |
Symptoms | Poor feeding, bloating, decreased activity, vomiting of bile [1] |
Complications | Short-gut syndrome, intestinal strictures, developmental delay [2] |
Causes | Unclear [1] |
Risk factors | Preterm birth, congenital heart disease, birth asphyxia, exchange transfusion, prolonged rupture of membranes [1] |
Differential diagnosis | Sepsis, anal fissure, infectious enterocolitis, Hirschsprung disease [2] [3] |
Prevention | Breast milk, probiotics. [2] |
Treatment | Bowel rest, nasogastric tube, antibiotics, surgery [2] |
Prognosis | Risk of death 25% [1] |
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a medical condition where a portion of the bowel dies. [1] It typically occurs in newborns that are either premature or otherwise unwell. [1] Symptoms may include poor feeding, bloating, decreased activity, blood in the stool, or vomiting of bile. [1] [2]
The exact cause is unclear. [1] Risk factors include congenital heart disease, birth asphyxia, exchange transfusion, and premature rupture of membranes. [1] The underlying mechanism is believed to involve a combination of poor blood flow and infection of the intestines. [2] Diagnosis is based on symptoms and confirmed with medical imaging. [1]
Prevention includes the use of breast milk and probiotics. [2] Treatment includes bowel rest, orogastric tube, intravenous fluids, and intravenous antibiotics. [2] Surgery is required in those who have free air in the abdomen. [2] A number of other supportive measures may also be required. [2] Complications may include short-gut syndrome, intestinal strictures, or developmental delay. [2]
About 7% of those that are born premature develop necrotizing enterocolitis. [2] Onset is typically in the first four weeks of life. [2] Among those affected, about 25% die. [1] The sexes are affected equally frequently. [4] The condition was first described between 1888 and 1891. [4]
Necrotizing enterocolitis | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Radiograph of a baby with necrotizing enterocolitis | |
Specialty | Pediatrics, gastroenterology, neonatology |
Symptoms | Poor feeding, bloating, decreased activity, vomiting of bile [1] |
Complications | Short-gut syndrome, intestinal strictures, developmental delay [2] |
Causes | Unclear [1] |
Risk factors | Preterm birth, congenital heart disease, birth asphyxia, exchange transfusion, prolonged rupture of membranes [1] |
Differential diagnosis | Sepsis, anal fissure, infectious enterocolitis, Hirschsprung disease [2] [3] |
Prevention | Breast milk, probiotics. [2] |
Treatment | Bowel rest, nasogastric tube, antibiotics, surgery [2] |
Prognosis | Risk of death 25% [1] |
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a medical condition where a portion of the bowel dies. [1] It typically occurs in newborns that are either premature or otherwise unwell. [1] Symptoms may include poor feeding, bloating, decreased activity, blood in the stool, or vomiting of bile. [1] [2]
The exact cause is unclear. [1] Risk factors include congenital heart disease, birth asphyxia, exchange transfusion, and premature rupture of membranes. [1] The underlying mechanism is believed to involve a combination of poor blood flow and infection of the intestines. [2] Diagnosis is based on symptoms and confirmed with medical imaging. [1]
Prevention includes the use of breast milk and probiotics. [2] Treatment includes bowel rest, orogastric tube, intravenous fluids, and intravenous antibiotics. [2] Surgery is required in those who have free air in the abdomen. [2] A number of other supportive measures may also be required. [2] Complications may include short-gut syndrome, intestinal strictures, or developmental delay. [2]
About 7% of those that are born premature develop necrotizing enterocolitis. [2] Onset is typically in the first four weeks of life. [2] Among those affected, about 25% die. [1] The sexes are affected equally frequently. [4] The condition was first described between 1888 and 1891. [4]