Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a gastrointestinal abnormality that affects premature and medically compromised infants. NEC is triggered by bacteria that enters an infant’s intestinal wall, leading to damage and possible destruction to the intestine. Studies have shown that one of the causes of NEC is baby formula and fortifier derived from cow’s milk. Fortifiers are added to assist in weight gain for premature infants, but ingestion of these fortifiers by premature infants may cause long-lasting, serious health conditions. Common brands include Similac (Abbott) and Enfamil (Mead Johnson).
Baby Formula Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyers are Ready to Help
Contact our Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyers to review whether you or a family member may be entitled to financial compensation. Levy Konigsberg LLP is currently accepting Necrotizing Enterocolitis cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has suffered one or more of these complications, you may be entitled to a cash award and compensation for medical expenses. For a free confidential consultation with Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyers at our law firm, please call 1-800-988-8005 or submit an email inquiry above.
What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
NEC is the most serious intestinal complication in premature infants. When a baby has NEC, their intestines cannot hold waste, which causes bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This may lead to serious infection. Waste can also enter the abdomen and cause severe illness. Intestinal tissue can deteriorate or a perforation may develop in the intestinal wall. NEC may cause sudden death or permanent neurological problems for infants that survive.
What is Happening with Baby Formula and Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
Several studies have shown that premature infants who are fed cow’s milk formula or breast milk with fortifier have a higher risk of developing NEC. One study of 926 preterm infants in 1990 discovered that NEC was 6 to 10 times more likely in babies who were formula-fed than those who were breast-fed. In 2014, one study determined that severely underweight premature infants have a 320% greater risk of contracting NEC after being fed cow’s milk formula or a fortifier.
Due to the possibility of developing NEC, health care providers advise giving low-birth weight infants breast milk exclusively. Babies who are fed only breast milk have a lower incidence of developing NEC. In many NICUs, donor breast milk is used when there is no available substitute to reduce the risk of contracting NEC. However, many hospitals continue to use milk-based fortifiers due to their lower cost. In addition, manufacturers of milk-based fortifiers do not provide warnings about the elevated incidence of NEC when using their products.
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/what-is-necrotizing-enterocolitis#2
Necrotizing Enterocolitis Side Effects and Complications
Side effects of NEC include:
- Swollen, tender belly;
- Feeding difficulties;
- Constipation;
- Diarrhea;
- Lethargy;
- Green vomit;
- Labored breathing;
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate); and
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Complications of NEC include:
- Abdominal infection;
- Intestinal strictures;
- Malabsorption issues;
- Failure to grow;
- Neurological problems;
- Developmental delays; and
- Death
Baby Formula Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyers are Ready to Help
Contact our Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyers to review whether you or a family member may be entitled to financial compensation. Levy Konigsberg LLP is currently accepting Necrotizing Enterocolitis cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has suffered one or more of these complications, you may be entitled to a cash award and compensation for medical expenses. For a free confidential consultation with Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawyers at our law firm, please call 1-800-988-8005 or submit an email inquiry above.
