Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a disease that causes infection and inflammation in your baby's bowel. It usually happens within the first 2 weeks after birth and is more common in premature infants.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
Informed consent
is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that your child may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your child's medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done to your child. Make sure all of your questions are answered.
Abdominal measuring:
Healthcare providers use a measuring tape to measure around your baby's abdomen. His or her abdomen may be measured every 4 to 8 hours to see if it is getting smaller or larger.
Nutrition:
Your baby's healthcare provider may stop feeding your baby through his or her mouth for a period of time. This is to rest the intestines. A dietitian may talk to you about your baby's feeding and nutrition. High-calorie liquid feedings may be given through a gastric tube if your baby cannot drink milk. As your baby improves, he or she may be given a different milk formula or baby foods. Ask your baby's healthcare provider for more information about feeding and nutrition.
A gastric tube
is inserted into your baby's nose or mouth and guided down to his or her stomach. This keeps air and fluid out of the stomach during surgery. Food or medicine may also be given through this tube.
A CVP line
is also called a central line. It is an IV catheter or tube. It is put into a large blood vessel near your child's neck, groin, or near his or her collarbone. The CVP line may be used to give medicines, draw blood, or to check your child's heart.
Intake and output
may be measured. Healthcare providers will keep track of the amount of liquid your child is getting. They also may need to know how much your child is urinating. Ask healthcare providers if they need to measure or collect your child's urine.
An IV
is a small tube used to give medicine or liquids through a vein.
Medicines:
- Antibiotics help treat an infection caused by bacteria.
- Pain medicine may be given. Ask how often your baby should get pain medicine, and how much should be given. Watch for signs of pain in your baby. Tell healthcare providers if his or her pain continues or gets worse.
Tests:
- Blood tests may be done to check for infection.
- Blood gases may be checked if your baby has trouble breathing or other problems.
- A bowel movement sample may be sent to a lab for tests. This can help find the cause of the infection.
- Abdominal x-rays may show problems, such as blockages or air in your baby's bowel or abdomen.
- Kidneys, ureters, and bladder x-ray may be used to help find any problems with your baby's bowels, kidneys, or abdomen. The ureters are tiny tubes that carry urine from your baby's kidneys to his or her bladder.
Treatment:
- An endotracheal (ET) tube may be needed to help your baby breathe. An ET tube is put in your baby's mouth or nose and guided into the trachea (windpipe). It may be connected to a breathing machine called a ventilator. The ET tube will be taken out when your baby is breathing better.
- Surgery may be needed to repair or remove part of your baby's bowel. He or she may also need a colostomy. This is surgery to connect part of the bowel to an opening on the abdomen. Your baby's bowel may be reconnected when the infection and swelling have healed.
RISKS:
Babies with NEC are at higher risk for slow growth and poor nutrition. If NEC is not treated, your baby's bowel cannot work well. He or she may not be able to absorb enough milk, food and nutrients. Damage to his or her bowel may lead to bleeding or perforations (holes). This allows bacteria to leak out and can cause sepsis (blood infection) and peritonitis (swelling in the abdominal covering). If the infection spreads, it may be life-threatening.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your baby's care. Learn about your baby's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your baby's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your baby.© Copyright Merative 2024 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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