What is necrotizing enterocolitis?
The name of this disease is derived from necrotizing, meaning damage and death of cells, entero, referring to the intestine, and colitis, meaning inflammation of the colon (lower part of the intestine). Necrotizing enterocolitis is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in the neonatal intensive care unit. It develops in 2,000 to 4,000 newborns annually and affects 1% to 8% of all newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units in the United States. Newborns with birth weights less than 2,000 grams (approximately 4 1/2 pounds) comprise 80% of necrotizing enterocolitis cases. Necrotizing enterocolitis predominantly affects premature infants, but is also seen in full-term infants. It can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract or the entire gastrointestinal tract. Although necrotizing enterocolitis usually occurs 3 to 12 days after birth, late onset can occur many weeks after birth.
