Crystal
10-20-2007, 12:45 PM
Necrotizing Enterocolitis also known as NEC. Preemie parents know what this horrible infection is....... but we're the only ones.
NEC is a disorder that occurs in sick or premature infants. What happens is that the lining of the intestinal walls die and the tissue falls off. The cause for this disorder is unknown. However, it is thought that a decrease in blood flow to the bowel keeps the bowel from producing mucus that protects the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria in the intestine may also be a cause.
Those with a higher risk for this condition include:
Premature infants
Infants who are fed concentrated formulas
Infants in a nursery where an outbreak has occurred
Infants who have received blood exchange transfusions
Symptoms:
Abdominal distention
Blood in the stool
Diarrhea
Feeding intolerance
Lethargy
Temperature instability
Vomiting
Exams and Tests:
Abdominal x-ray
Stool for occult blood test (guaiac)
Elevated white blood cell count in a CBC
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
Lactic acidosis
Treatment
In an infant suspected of having necrotizing enterocolitis, feedings are stopped and gas is relieved from the bowel by inserting a small tube into the stomach. Intravenous fluid replaces formula or breast milk. Antibiotic therapy is started. The infant's condition is monitored with abdominal x-rays, blood tests, and blood gases.
Surgery will be needed if there is a hole in the intestines or peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal wall). The dead bowel tissue is removed and a colostomy or ileostomy is performed. The bowel is then reconnected several weeks or months later when the infection and inflammation have healed.
Outlook (Prognosis):
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious disease with a death rate approaching 25%. Early, aggressive treatment helps improve the outcome.
Possible Complications:
Intestinal perforation
Intestinal stricture
Peritonitis
Sepsis
NEC is what killed my daughter Calypso. In a lot of NEC cases Renal Failure is a complication that goes hand in hand with NEC. No one told us how serious NEC was. When Calypso came down with it. I had no idea how many babies die a year from it. I've made these graphics for the cause
NEC is a disorder that occurs in sick or premature infants. What happens is that the lining of the intestinal walls die and the tissue falls off. The cause for this disorder is unknown. However, it is thought that a decrease in blood flow to the bowel keeps the bowel from producing mucus that protects the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria in the intestine may also be a cause.
Those with a higher risk for this condition include:
Premature infants
Infants who are fed concentrated formulas
Infants in a nursery where an outbreak has occurred
Infants who have received blood exchange transfusions
Symptoms:
Abdominal distention
Blood in the stool
Diarrhea
Feeding intolerance
Lethargy
Temperature instability
Vomiting
Exams and Tests:
Abdominal x-ray
Stool for occult blood test (guaiac)
Elevated white blood cell count in a CBC
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
Lactic acidosis
Treatment
In an infant suspected of having necrotizing enterocolitis, feedings are stopped and gas is relieved from the bowel by inserting a small tube into the stomach. Intravenous fluid replaces formula or breast milk. Antibiotic therapy is started. The infant's condition is monitored with abdominal x-rays, blood tests, and blood gases.
Surgery will be needed if there is a hole in the intestines or peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal wall). The dead bowel tissue is removed and a colostomy or ileostomy is performed. The bowel is then reconnected several weeks or months later when the infection and inflammation have healed.
Outlook (Prognosis):
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious disease with a death rate approaching 25%. Early, aggressive treatment helps improve the outcome.
Possible Complications:
Intestinal perforation
Intestinal stricture
Peritonitis
Sepsis
NEC is what killed my daughter Calypso. In a lot of NEC cases Renal Failure is a complication that goes hand in hand with NEC. No one told us how serious NEC was. When Calypso came down with it. I had no idea how many babies die a year from it. I've made these graphics for the cause