Necrotising enterocolitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Necrotising enterocolitis (patient information)}} | ||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[ | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Necrotising enterocolitis|here]]''' | ||
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{KD}} | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Necrotizing enterocolitis is the death of intestinal tissue. It most often affects premature or sick | Necrotizing enterocolitis is the death of intestinal tissue. It most often affects [[premature]] or sick baby. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Necrotising enterocolitis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Necrotising enterocolitis?== | ||
Symptoms may come on slowly or suddenly, and may include: | Symptoms may come on slowly or suddenly, and may include: | ||
* Abdominal distention | * [[Abdominal distention]] | ||
* Blood in the stool | * Blood in the stool | ||
* Diarrhea | * [[Diarrhea]] | ||
* Feeding intolerance | * Feeding intolerance | ||
* Lethargy | * [[Lethargy]] | ||
* Temperature instability | * Temperature instability | ||
* Vomiting | * [[Vomiting]] | ||
==What causes Necrotising enterocolitis?== | ==What causes Necrotising enterocolitis?== | ||
Necrotizing enterocolitis occurs when the lining of the intestinal wall dies and the tissue falls off. The cause for this disorder is unknown. However, it is thought that a decrease in blood flow to the bowel keeps the bowel from producing mucus that protects the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria in the intestine may also be a cause. | Necrotizing enterocolitis occurs when the lining of the intestinal wall dies and the tissue falls off. The cause for this disorder is unknown. However, it is thought that a decrease in blood flow to the bowel keeps the bowel from producing mucus that protects the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria in the intestine may also be a cause. | ||
This disorder usually develops in an infant that is already ill or premature, and most often develops while the infant is still in the hospital. | This disorder usually develops in an [[infant]] that is already ill or premature, and most often develops while the infant is still in the hospital. | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Those with a higher risk for this condition include: | Those with a higher risk for this condition include: | ||
* Premature infants | * [[Premature]] infants | ||
* Infants who are fed concentrated formulas | * Infants who are fed concentrated formulas | ||
* Infants in a nursery where an outbreak has occurred | * Infants in a [[nursery]] where an outbreak has occurred | ||
* Infants who have received blood exchange | * Infants who have received blood [[exchange transfusion]]s | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
* Abdominal x-ray | * [[Abdominal x-ray]] | ||
* Stool for occult blood test (guaiac) | * Stool for occult blood test (guaiac) | ||
* Elevated white blood cell count in a CBC | * [[Elevated white blood cell count]] in a CBC | ||
* Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) | * [[Thrombocytopenia]] (low platelet count) | ||
* Lactic acidosis | * [[Lactic acidosis]] | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
If any symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis develop, especially in an infant that has recently been hospitalized for illness or prematurity, go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911). | If any symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis develop, especially in an [[infant]] that has recently been hospitalized for illness or prematurity, go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911). | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
In an infant suspected of having necrotizing enterocolitis, feedings are stopped and gas is relieved from the bowel by inserting a small tube into the stomach. Intravenous fluid replaces formula or breast milk. Antibiotic therapy is started. The infant's condition is monitored with abdominal x- | In an infant suspected of having necrotizing enterocolitis, feedings are stopped and gas is relieved from the bowel by inserting a small tube into the stomach. Intravenous fluid replaces formula or breast milk. Antibiotic therapy is started. The infant's condition is monitored with [[abdominal x-ray]]s, blood tests, and [[blood gases]]. | ||
Surgery will be needed if there is a hole in the | Surgery will be needed if there is a hole in the [[intestine]]s or [[peritonitis]] (inflammation of the abdominal wall). The dead bowel tissue is removed and a colostomy or [[ileostomy]] is performed. The bowel is then reconnected several weeks or months later when the infection and inflammation have healed | ||
==Where to find medical care for Necrotising enterocolitis?== | ==Where to find medical care for Necrotising enterocolitis?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Necrotising enterocolitis ] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Necrotising enterocolitis ] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious disease with a death rate approaching 25%. Early, aggressive treatment helps improve the outcome. | Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious disease with a death rate approaching 25%. Early, aggressive treatment helps improve the outcome. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Intestinal perforation | * [[Intestinal perforation]] | ||
* Intestinal stricture | * [[Intestinal stricture]] | ||
* Peritonitis | * [[Peritonitis]] | ||
* Sepsis | * [[Sepsis]] | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001148.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001148.htm | ||
Latest revision as of 20:26, 5 March 2013
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Necrotising enterocolitis |
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Necrotising enterocolitis On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Necrotising enterocolitis |
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
Necrotizing enterocolitis is the death of intestinal tissue. It most often affects premature or sick baby.
What are the symptoms of Necrotising enterocolitis?
Symptoms may come on slowly or suddenly, and may include:
- Abdominal distention
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea
- Feeding intolerance
- Lethargy
- Temperature instability
- Vomiting
What causes Necrotising enterocolitis?
Necrotizing enterocolitis occurs when the lining of the intestinal wall dies and the tissue falls off. The cause for this disorder is unknown. However, it is thought that a decrease in blood flow to the bowel keeps the bowel from producing mucus that protects the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria in the intestine may also be a cause.
This disorder usually develops in an infant that is already ill or premature, and most often develops while the infant is still in the hospital.
Who is at highest risk?
Those with a higher risk for this condition include:
- Premature infants
- Infants who are fed concentrated formulas
- Infants in a nursery where an outbreak has occurred
- Infants who have received blood exchange transfusions
Diagnosis
- Abdominal x-ray
- Stool for occult blood test (guaiac)
- Elevated white blood cell count in a CBC
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Lactic acidosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
If any symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis develop, especially in an infant that has recently been hospitalized for illness or prematurity, go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911).
Treatment options
In an infant suspected of having necrotizing enterocolitis, feedings are stopped and gas is relieved from the bowel by inserting a small tube into the stomach. Intravenous fluid replaces formula or breast milk. Antibiotic therapy is started. The infant's condition is monitored with abdominal x-rays, blood tests, and blood gases.
Surgery will be needed if there is a hole in the intestines or peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal wall). The dead bowel tissue is removed and a colostomy or ileostomy is performed. The bowel is then reconnected several weeks or months later when the infection and inflammation have healed
Where to find medical care for Necrotising enterocolitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Necrotising enterocolitis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious disease with a death rate approaching 25%. Early, aggressive treatment helps improve the outcome.