Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Practitioner's Perspective

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is a multifactorial disorder. Factors previously thought to place patients at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis have been found to be identical among neonates with the disease and other neonates who do have it and, thus, are not true risk factors. The mainstays of therapy for necrotizing enterocolitis include bowel decompression, bowel rest, and broadspectrum intravenous antibiotics. The only absolute indication for surgical intervention is perforation of the bowel. Survivors of necrotizing enterocolitis are susceptible to stricture formation which usually occurs 2 to 8 weeks after the acute onset of necrotizing enterocolitis. Common signs include obstipation, vomiting, abdominal distention, and hematochezia.