What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a medical condition that, primarily, effects prematurely born infants. Necrotizing enterocolitis essentially entails the death of tissue in a portion of the bowels of its newborn victims. If not diagnoses and treated in a timely manner, necrotizing enterocolitis can result in perforation of bowels, hemorrhage, and peritonitis due to the perforation of the bowels, and even death.
How Does Necrotizing Enterocolitis Develop?
The cause of necrotizing enterocolitis is unknown; however, it manifests in infants that are prematurely born. While it is suspected that a pathogen may be the cause of the condition (due to cluster outbreaks of necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal intensive care units), the commonly held belief is that, due to a prematurely born infants inherently weak immune system, exposure to intestinal flora, exposure to antibiotics in excess of five days, and alteration in the blood flow and milk (i.e., breast milk or formula) all combine to put a prematurely born infant at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
The signs and symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis primarily manifest in prematurely born infants (it can also manifest in neutropaenic cancer patients); but, it has been shown that the gestational period of the infant is inversely proportional to the delay in the manifestation of the signs and symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis. In other words, the more premature the infant is born, the more delayed the manifestation of symptoms is likely to be.
Initially, the signs and symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis include; but, are not limited to:
- Feeding intolerance;
- Increase in gastric residuals;
- Abdominal distension; and,
- Bloody stools.
Although the signs and symptoms of the manifestation of necrotizing enterocolitis develop rapidly, the following signs and symptoms are indicative of the need for immediate intensive medical support as they are indicative of a medical emergency:
- Abdominal discoloration;
- Intestinal perforation;
- Peritonitis; and,
- Systematic hypotension.
Legal Help for Necrotizing Enterocolitis Victims
If a loved one suffers or suffered from necrotizing enterocolitis, contact a Necrotizing Enterocolitis lawyer at the Finz firm now toll free at (855) TOP-FIRM or simply fill out the Free Necrotizing Enterocolitis Case Evaluation form.
