Which is a risk factor of NEC in the preterm infant?
NEC affects 5 to 10% of premature infants born weighing less than 1500 g. Among the risk factors defined for NEC, prematurity and birth weight remain inversely related to risk for NEC. Term infants who develop NEC usually have specific risk factors such as congenital heart disease, sepsis, and low blood pressure.
What is the possible risk factor of necrotizing enterocolitis during pregnancy?
Commonly observed risk factors are prematurity, low birth-weight, enteral feeding, blood transfusion, and sepsis. Breast milk and probiotics have been demonstrated to be protective factors. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 However, whether neonates with other risk factors might also have a chance of contacting NEC is not clear.
What causes necrotizing enterocolitis in newborns?
In premature infants, the cause may be related to the immaturity of the child's digestive system. NEC involves infection and inflammation in the child's gut, which may stem from the growth of dangerous bacteria or the growth of bacteria in parts of the intestine where they do not usually live.
Which factors place the neonate at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis Risk Factors\n\n While there appears to be no single cause of necrotizing enterocolitis, risk factors include premature birth and early feedings in premature babies with an immature gut. Babies who have had difficult deliveries with lowered oxygen levels can also develop necrotizing enterocolitis.