Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A dreadful condition of premature babies

NEC is inflammatory necrosis of the intestine, with the most common sites in preterm babies being the terminal ileum and the ascending colon (1). The condition is typically seen in premature infants, and the timing of its onset is generally inversely proportional to the gestational age of the baby at birth; i.e. the earlier a baby is born, the longer the time of risk for NEC in premature babies. The incidence of NEC is inversely proportional to the gestational age and birth weight (2). The baby may have initial symptoms that include feeding intolerance, increased gastric residuals, abdominal distension, and bloody stools (3). The laboratory triad includes metabolic acidosis, hyponatremia, and thrombocytopenia. Pneumatosis intestinalis is the pathognomonic radiological finding in the NEC. Modified Bell’s staging is used to stage the NEC. Treatment involves Nil per Oral, supportive care, antibiotics, surgery in advanced stages, and parenteral nutrition (4, 5). Complication of NEC includes mortality, prolonged NICU stay, intestinal strictures, enterocutaneous fistula, intra-abdominal abscess, cholestasis, and short-bowel syndrome, and neurodevelopmental, motor, sensory, and cognitive problems (6-9).