ntroduction
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a condition that causes tissue death (necrosis) in the lining of the small intestine. The small intestine is the part of the digestive system that receives food from the stomach. NEC usually causes:
Areas of swelling and bleeding at the end of the small intestine
Gas to build up inside the intestine
As the cells of the inner lining of the small intestine begin to die, pieces of the lining fall away. Without treatment, this condition can lead to problems with blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate.
What are the causes?
The cause of this condition is not known.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in a child who:
Is born prematurely.
Is born at a very low birth weight. …show more content…
Inserting a tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach to drain fluids and remove gas.
Surgery. This may be done:
To remove dead or dying intestinal tissue.
To make a temporary opening of the intestine through the abdominal wall (ostomy). The intestine can be reconnected weeks or months after recovery.
Follow these instructions at home:
Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it to him or her as told by the health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if he or she starts to feel better.
If your child has had surgery, follow your health care provider's home care instructions.
Feed your child as told by your child's health care provider.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child's health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
Your child has a fever.
Your child is having trouble feeding.
Your child has frequent constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Get help right away if:
Your child is unable to eat.
Your child has bloody stool or bloody vomit.
Your child is struggling to
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a condition that causes tissue death (necrosis) in the lining of the small intestine. The small intestine is the part of the digestive system that receives food from the stomach. NEC usually causes:
Areas of swelling and bleeding at the end of the small intestine
Gas to build up inside the intestine
As the cells of the inner lining of the small intestine begin to die, pieces of the lining fall away. Without treatment, this condition can lead to problems with blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate.
What are the causes?
The cause of this condition is not known.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in a child who:
Is born prematurely.
Is born at a very low birth weight. …show more content…
Inserting a tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach to drain fluids and remove gas.
Surgery. This may be done:
To remove dead or dying intestinal tissue.
To make a temporary opening of the intestine through the abdominal wall (ostomy). The intestine can be reconnected weeks or months after recovery.
Follow these instructions at home:
Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it to him or her as told by the health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if he or she starts to feel better.
If your child has had surgery, follow your health care provider's home care instructions.
Feed your child as told by your child's health care provider.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child's health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
Your child has a fever.
Your child is having trouble feeding.
Your child has frequent constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Get help right away if:
Your child is unable to eat.
Your child has bloody stool or bloody vomit.
Your child is struggling to