Necrotizing enterocolitis: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:47, 4 January 2026

Background

Abbreviation: NEC
Intestinal necrosis in previously well infant
Typically presents in 1st week of life, with case reports to 6 months in children that are chronically ill.
Predominantly affects preemies; 10-15% occurs in full-term patients
Bacterial overgrowth in bowel, translocation of bacteria into bowel wall, subsequent bacterial endotoxin and gas production

Clinical Features

Poor feeding, lethargy, abdominal distention/tenderness
Sepsis, pneumoperitoneum

Differential Diagnosis

Pediatric Abdominal Pain

Evaluation

Neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis.

Left: KUB with pneumatosis intestinalis (large arrow) a specific finding in necrotizing enterocolitis. Right: follow-up film showing free air indicating bowel perforation (small arrow).

Work-Up

CBC
Chem
Sepsis evaluation
Coags
Stool +/- heme positive

Radiography

Pneumatosis on XR is hallmark
- Get KUB in supine position and left lat decubitus
Ultrasound
- Pseudo-kidney sign - bowel wall with hyperechoic center and hypoechoic rim
- Assess for gas bubbles in liver and portal veins

Management

NPO
Aggressive IV hydration
Ampicillin + gentamicin + clindamycin
Surgery consult

Disposition

Admit

References

Authors:

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+<languages/>
+<translate>
 ==Background==
-* usu 24-48 hr of life/neonates & premature infants
-* It is d/t intestinal wall necrosis
-==Diagnosis==
+*Abbreviation: NEC
-* S/S: feeding intolerance, jaundice, abdominal distension, change in stooling pattern, heme + stools
+*Intestinal necrosis in previously well infant
-* radiology= pneumotosis intestinalis, pneumobilia, pneumoperitoneum, air in portal vein, gasless abdomen
+*Typically presents in 1st week of life, with case reports to 6 months in children that are chronically ill.
+*Predominantly affects preemies; 10-15% occurs in full-term patients
-Clinical triad : Abdominal. Distension + GI bleeding + Pneumatosis intestinalis
+*Bacterial overgrowth in bowel, translocation of bacteria into bowel wall, subsequent bacterial endotoxin and gas production
+==Clinical Features==
-Signs of functional Intestinal obstruction : Abdominal distension, progressive decreased Peristalsis, Bilious vomiting, hematemesis and blood in stools
+*[[Special:MyLanguage/Failure to thrive (peds)|Poor feeding]], [[Special:MyLanguage/altered mental status (peds)|lethargy]], [[Special:MyLanguage/abdominal pain|abdominal distention/tenderness]]
+*[[Special:MyLanguage/Sepsis|Sepsis]], pneumoperitoneum
-Signs of peritonitis & perforation: Ascites, erythema & edema of abdominal wall, localized mass or rigidity
-Systemic signs : respiratory distress, Apnea / bradycardia, Lethargy, thermal instability, irritability, poor feeding, hypotension (shock), oliguria, bleeding diathesis, sclerema
+==Differential Diagnosis==
-Triad of:
+</translate>
+{{Pediatric abdominal pain DDX}}
+<translate>
-Thrombocytopenia
-Metabolic acidosis
+==Evaluation==
-Hyponatremia
+[[File:Necrotizing enterocolitis 202.jpg|thumb|Neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis.]]
+[[File:PMC3800332 IJA-57-387-g001.png|thumb|Left: [[Special:MyLanguage/KUB|KUB]] with pneumatosis intestinalis (large arrow) a specific finding in necrotizing enterocolitis. Right: follow-up film showing free air indicating bowel perforation (small arrow).]]
+===Work-Up===
-Stools are heme +
+*CBC
+*Chem
+*[[Special:MyLanguage/Sepsis (peds)|Sepsis]] evaluation
+*Coags
+*Stool +/- heme positive
 ===Radiography===
-*Pneumotosis is hallmark
-**Get KUB and left lat decubital
-==DDx==
+*Pneumatosis on XR is hallmark
-#Sepsis
+**Get [[Special:MyLanguage/KUB|KUB]] in supine position and left lat decubitus
-#pneumonia
+*[[Ultrasound: Abdomen|Ultrasound]]
-#malro/volvulus
+**Pseudo-kidney sign - bowel wall with hyperechoic center and hypoechoic rim
-#intuss
+**Assess for gas bubbles in liver and portal veins
-#feeding intolerance (exclusion)
+==Management==
-==Treatment==
 #NPO
-#CBC, lytes, BCx, x-ray
+#Aggressive [[Special:MyLanguage/IVF|IV hydration]]
-#Amp/gent/clinda x 48 hrs
+#[[Special:MyLanguage/Ampicillin|Ampicillin]] + [[Special:MyLanguage/gentamicin|gentamicin]] + [[Special:MyLanguage/clindamycin|clindamycin]]
-#Serial CBC, lytes, x-ray (q6)
+#Surgery consult
-#NG to suction
-#Volume replacement
+==Disposition==
+*Admit
+==See Also==
+*[[Special:MyLanguage/Abdominal pain (peds)|Abdominal pain (peds)]]
-===Surgery Indications===
+==References==
-#Perforation
-#portal/biliary air
-#rapidly deteriorating
-==Prognosis==
+<references/>
-* Rx= 80% nd only medical mgt (bowel rest, ngt, fluids, abx to cover bowel flora), 20% need bowel surgery (if perf etc)
-* 15% mortality
-==Source==
-Adapted from Pani
-[[Category:Peds]]
+[[Category:Pediatrics]]
+[[Category:GI]]
+[[Category:Surgery]]
+</translate>