Who Does Necrotizing Enterocolitis Affect?

Necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, is a serious disease that affects the intestines of premature infants. It typically happens within the first 2 weeks of life in babies who are fed formula instead of breast milk. In this condition, bacteria invade the wall of the intestine.

Who gets necrotizing enterocolitis?

Who Gets Necrotizing Enterocolitis? Most cases of necrotizing enterocolitis are in babies born before 32 weeks gestation. But full-term babies who have health problems, like a heart defect, also can have it. Babies with NEC usually develop it within the first 2–4 weeks of life.

When does NEC usually occur?

NEC typically occurs two to six weeks after birth, depending on the type and cause. Symptoms may come on over a few days or appear suddenly in babies who otherwise seem to be doing well. NEC is a common problem among infants in NICUs. Your baby's care team will be on the lookout for signs of this problem.

Alexander Ross

Alexander Ross

Gaming, Esports & Interactive Media Writer

Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.