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Sub-Category:

Gastrointestinal Conditions in Preterm Infants

Number of Conditions: 1

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Neonatal Conditions (Newborns)

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Conditions in Preterm Infants

Symptoms:
abdominal distension; vomiting (sometimes bilious); bloody stools; poor feeding; lethargy; temperature instability

Root Cause:
Inflammation and necrosis of the intestinal tissue due to immaturity of the gastrointestinal system, bacterial colonization, and impaired blood flow.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical symptoms, abdominal X-rays showing pneumatosis intestinalis (air within the intestinal wall), and laboratory tests (e.g., elevated inflammatory markers).

Treatment:
Bowel rest (NPO), nasogastric decompression, antibiotics, and surgery in severe cases (e.g., bowel resection).

Medications:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin , gentamicin , or metronidazole ) to treat or prevent sepsis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 5–10% of very low birth weight infants (<1,500 grams).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prematurity, formula feeding, low birth weight, perinatal asphyxia, and prolonged use of umbilical catheters.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies; mild cases resolve with treatment, while severe cases requiring surgery may result in long-term complications like short bowel syndrome.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sepsis, intestinal perforation, strictures, and short bowel syndrome.