What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?

NEC is the most common acute gastrointestinal illness in neonates throughout the world, with mortality rates as high as 50% in infants weighing less than 3.3 pounds.  It is more common in premature infants, but it is also observed in full-term babies as early as the first and second day of life.  The signs and symptoms of NEC can range from mild feeding intolerance and abdominal distension to catastrophic bowel perforation.  NEC is not a gender specific illness, is not hereditary, and has been seen in all nationalities.  It is unusual for two full-term siblings to suffer the same disease.