Necrotising enterocolitis

• What is necrotising enterocolitis?

  Death of intestinal tissue due to inflammation
• Who is necrotising enterocolitis most common in?

  Premature neonates
• What are some risk factors for necrotising enterocolitis?

  Very low birth weight

  Preterm

  Growth restricted neonates
• What drugs have been associated with an increased risk of developing necrotising enterocolitis?

  Neonatal administration of:

  • Abx
  • H2 blockers
  • Indomethacin

  Antenatal use of:

  • Co-amox
• How may a patient present with necrotising enterocolitis?

  Feeding intolerance

  Vomiting

  Lethargy

  Abdo distension

  Blood stools
• What are some examination findings for necrotising enterocolitis?

  Shiny distended abdo

  Periumbilical eythema

  Bilious gastric aspirate

  Shock
• What are some imaging findings for necrotising enterocolitis?

  Pneumatosis intestinalis (gas in the bowel wall on x-ray)

  Portal vein gas
• What are some bloods done for necrotising enterocolitis?

  Inflam markers

  CBG

  Blood cultures
• How is necrotising enterocolitis managed?

  Abdo decompression via NG tube

  Broad spec IV abx

  Surgery (if perf if suspected)
• Where is the management of patients with necrotising enterocolitis based?

  ICU
• Necrotising enterocolitis is a neonatal emergency
• What are some complications of necrotising enterocolitis?

  Death

  Intestinal perf

  Sepsis