Necrotising enterocolitis and localised intestinal perforation: different diseases or ends of a spectrum of pathology.

摘要

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common and the most serious conditions affecting premature infants. The incidence is increasing in parallel with improvements in neonatal care. These fragile babies are now surviving whereas in the past they would have died because of the immaturity of their lungs. As a consequence, NEC is now recognised as the most common cause of death in the new-born period and a frequent source of long-term morbidity for those who survive. The disease is characterised by a sudden deterioration in the general condition of a premature baby who has previously been relatively well. The child becomes difficult to feed, may vomit and develop abdominal distension.