Premature Babies Nursed on Formula Are at Risk of NEC
Premature babies or underweight infants are at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal disease. This condition causes intestinal tissue to die. It can also create a hole in their intestine, where bacteria can leak through, causing severe abdominal infections.
How Does NEC Happen?
NEC happens when tissue in the intestine is inflamed or injured. The intestine can no longer hold waste, so bacteria may pass into the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Waste may pass into the baby’s abdomen and make the baby very sick. The inflamed intestine will need to be surgically removed.
NEC is a Life-Threatening Condition
Even a mild case of NEC can be dangerous for a premature baby. About 15 percent to 40 percent of premature infants with NEC will die, and that’s because NEC can lead to a deadly blood infection called sepsis.
Even if not fatal, NEC can cause other long-term complications and dangerous health consequences. One out of three babies with NEC will develop intestinal strictures, a narrowing of the intestine. This can make it difficult for food to pass through, and surgery is needed to remove it. Removal of intestinal tissue can cause short bowel syndrome, impacting the baby’s growth and development.
Signs and Symptoms of NEC
Symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis can vary among babies. However, the most common symptoms of a baby with NEC might include:
- trouble feeding
- a red, tender, or swollen belly
- diarrhea or dark, bloody stools
- constipation
- green vomit
- an unstable body temperature
- less active or lethargic
- slowed heart rate
- apnea
- low blood pressure
Causes of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
In most cases, a specific cause isn’t found. But experts believe the following things might play a role:
- low oxygen or blood flow to the intestine at birth
- an underdeveloped intestine
- heavy growth of bacteria in the intestine
- viral or bacterial infection of the intestine
- injury to the intestinal lining
- formula feeding (Enfamil or Similac)
Treatment for NEC
After a baby has been diagnosed with NEC, treatment begins immediately. It includes:
- stopping all feedings temporarily
- given IV for fluid replacement and nutrition
- inserting a tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach to remove air and fluid
- constant abdominal X-rays
- given antibiotics to prevent or treat infection
- in severe cases, surgery may be needed right away
Watch YouTube Video: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC): Preventing and Treating Complications in the NICU. In the following video, Dr. Samir Gadepalli from Michigan Medicine discusses the new research underway to prevent and treat NEC.
Baby Formulas Linked to NEC in Premature Babies
Premature babies need additional nutrition to boost their growth and development. However, many preemies cannot breastfeed, so they are given baby formula instead. Similac and Enfamil, the leading infant formula brands, are made from cow milk with nutrients to mimic human breast milk. Recent studies have shown that these formulas significantly increase the risk of a premature infant developing NEC. Research shows that cow milk formulas cause bacterial septic overload in the stomach of premature babies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has said human breast milk is the best for preemies because of the risk of NEC from baby formula. Medical research has linked cow milk-based infant formulas to NEC in recent years. The manufacturers of these infant formulas have ignored the studies over the years. They knew of the risk of NEC but did nothing to warn families.
If your baby was diagnosed with NEC after being given Similac or Enfamil, consult with an experienced products liability lawyer about your legal options. You might be able to bring a lawsuit against the maker and receive financial compensation for your loss.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
Millions of people in the United States are injured or killed by defective and dangerous products yearly. These products should not have been on the market in the first place due to injury from manufacturing or design flaws. Companies must warn consumers of the potential risks to make informed choices about using the product.
Our Sacramento products liability attorneys are trained to hold retailers, manufacturers, designers, and distributors accountable for the injuries these products have caused.
Our injury lawyers have helped injured consumers pursue justice and compensation for damages related to defective products for four decades. We take these cases very seriously and know how to apply our expertise to help injured individuals get the compensation they deserve.
Baby Formula Lawsuit Lawyers | NEC
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Baby Formula Lawsuit Lawyer. If you are a parent of a premature baby who took Enfamil or Similac formula and developed NEC, call our experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyers today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 or online for free and friendly advice.
Our legal team at AutoAccident.com has helped Sacramento and Northern California residents get maximum compensation for personal injury and wrongful death cases since 1982.
We are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
See our client reviews on Google, Avvo, and Yelp and our Verdicts and Settlements case history.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
cha llo [cs 866] bw