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Necrotic enterocolitis is a gastrointestinal disease found in premature infants, caused by inflammation and infection in the gut. Symptoms include food intolerance, bloody stools, and abdominal swelling. Treatment includes antibiotics, intravenous feeding, and surgery if necessary. Malabsorption may occur as a complication.
Necrotic enterocolitis is a gastrointestinal disease commonly found in premature infants. It involves inflammation and infection in the gut, causing tissue to die. The cause of necrotic enterocolitis is unknown, but one theory suggests that premature babies suffer from weakened intestinal tissue due to insufficient blood flow or oxygen. When you feed a baby, the flow of food can allow bacteria in the intestines to invade the intestinal tissue. Premature infants who are fed formula milk are at an increased risk of developing necrotic enterocolitis.
Most often, necrotic enterocolitis occurs after the start of milk feeding. Symptoms can be different from infant to infant, but typically include food intolerance, bloody stools, abdominal swelling, and flushing. Less subtle symptoms might include diarrhea, respiratory apnea, lethargy, and body temperature fluctuations. Severe cases of necrotic enterocolitis can be life-threatening when bacteria leak into the abdomen from a hole that develops in the intestines. This condition is known as peritonitis.
Necrotic enterocolitis is often diagnosed with intestinal X-rays. A surgical procedure can be performed to determine if there is a hole in the intestine. This procedure involves inserting a needle into the abdominal cavity and withdrawing the fluid.
After the presence of necrotic enterocolitis has been determined, most newborns can be treated medically without surgery. Treatment includes intravenous feeding and antibiotics to treat the infection. Often, a tube is inserted through the nasal passages into the stomach to remove fluid and air from the intestines. Blood samples are taken to check for bacteria, and the children’s stools are closely monitored for the presence of blood. If your baby experiences breathing apnea, oxygen is typically given with a ventilator to help the baby breathe.
Most babies with necrotic enterocolitis will recover after a full course of antibiotics and intravenous feedings. If the child has had intestinal tears or does not recover after treatment with antibiotics, surgery is often done. During surgery, part of the diseased intestine is removed.
A complication when performing surgery can be malabsorption. Malabsorption occurs when the intestines are unable to absorb nutrients normally and is often referred to as short bowel syndrome. Treatment for malabsorption may include intravenous feeding, small bowel transplantation, and surgical lengthening of the bowel.
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