Necrotizing enterocolitis (nek-roh-TIE-zing en-ter-oh-coh-LIE-tis), or NEC, is the most common and serious intestinal disease among premature babies. It happens when tissue in the small or large intestine is injured or inflamed. This can lead to death of intestinal tissue and, in rare cases, a hole (perforation) in the intestinal wall.
When this happens, the intestine can no longer hold waste. So bacteria and other waste products pass through the intestine and into the baby's bloodstream or abdominal cavity. This can make a baby very sick, possibly causing a life-threatening infection. A baby with necrotizing enterocolitis might have these symptoms:
a swollen, red, or tender belly
trouble feeding
food staying in the stomach longer than expected
constipation
diarrhea and/or dark or bloody stools (poop)
being less active or lethargic
a low or unstable body temperature
green vomit (containing bile)
apnea (pauses in breathing)
bradycardia (slowed heart rate)
hypotension (low blood pressure)