Necrotizing Enterocolitis In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Necrotizing (NEK-ro-TIZ-ing) enterocolitis (EN-ter-o-ko-LI-tis), also known as NEC, is a serious intestinal disease that usually affects premature infants. This often occurs within the first 2 weeks of birth and after milk feeding has started. With NEC, the intestines (bowels) get infected and inflamed (swollen). This causes damage and necrosis (tissue death) of a part of or the entire intestine. Over time, this necrosis may prevent blood flow through the intestines causing pain, perforation (a hole), or bleeding. The exact cause of NEC remains unclear but many factors are thought to increase its risk. These include prematurity, low oxygen and blood supply to the intestines, milk feedings, and infections.
  
  
• The signs and symptoms may appear after feeding your baby with milk. He may have abdominal (belly) pain, an enlarged abdomen, or trouble breathing or feeding. He may also have blood in his stools (BM) or greenish vomit (throw up). Abdominal x-rays and blood or stool tests may be used to diagnose NEC. Treatment may include an NG tube or IV feeding, surgery, or medicines to ease his symptoms. The earlier NEC is found and treated, the better the chances that your baby may live. With treatment, such as medicine and surgery, your baby's symptoms may be relieved and his quality of life may be improved.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's Syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight infection caused by bacteria. Give this medicine as ordered until it is all gone, even if your child feels better. Stopping an antibiotic without the caregiver's OK may make it unable to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Tell a caregiver if your child is allergic to antibiotics.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give medicine to decrease your child's pain. Tell a caregiver if your child's pain does not go away or comes back after taking this medicine. Pain medicine can have side effects. Tell a caregiver if your child has trouble breathing, is very sleepy, or has an upset stomach. Tell a caregiver if your child is allergic to any medicine.

Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

Diet: A caregiver, called a dietitian, may talk to you about your baby's feeding and nutrition. Ask if it is OK to breastfeed your baby or what milk you should feed him. Ask also about the proper feeding of your baby, such as when to increase the amount of milk. Special formulas or oils may be added to your baby's foods or liquids. These may add extra calories to help him grow.

Wash your hands and your child's hands often. This will help prevent the spread of germs. Encourage everyone in your house to wash their hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom. Also wash hands after changing diapers and before preparing or eating food.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your baby is irritable or crying more than usual.
  
  
• Your baby's skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your baby's disease, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your baby has trouble breathing or his lips and fingernails are turning blue in color.
  
  
• Your baby is not able to eat or drink, or is urinating less or not at all.
  
  
• Your baby is having a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• Your baby looks very weak or sleeps more than normal.
  
  
• Your baby's vomit (throw up) or stool (BM) has blood in it.
  
  
• Your baby's wound or bandage has pus or a bad smell even if you are cleaning it everyday.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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