Necrotizing Enterocolitis – Brian Gilchrist

Necrotizing Enterocolitis – Symptoms and Causes

With an MD from Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Brian Gilchrist is a consultant surgeon for the government of Grenada. Well-versed in congenital diseases, Brian Gilchrist, MD edited a well-referenced book on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which subsequently became widely received throughout the country.

A disease that affects young infants’ abdomen, necrotizing enterocolitis occurs when bacteria invade the intestinal wall and cause inflammation. This inflammation creates a gap through which nasty germs leak out to invade the abdomen. If left untreated, necrotizing enterocolitis worsens and may result in death. It often happens to babies fed baby formula instead of breast milk within their first two weeks after birth.

While symptoms of NEC vary from child to child, some symptoms occur within the first two weeks after birth in almost every child. These include bloody poop, swollen or bloated belly, low heart rate, sluggishness, and trouble breathing. Intestinal inflammation can also block food from moving from the stomach to the small intestine.

At present, the cause of NEC is not yet certain. Premature infants, for instance, may develop the condition as a result of their immature digestive system. An immature digestive system may lack an adequate structural barrier to microbial infection and fail to secrete appropriate biochemical defenses. Dangerous bacteria can take advantage of this and infect compromised parts. These shortcomings make premature infants more susceptible to the kinds of inflammations that result in NEC.

In most cases, full-term infants with NEC develop the condition as a result of sickness. Undergoing some procedures – such as vascular bypass surgery – can potentially disrupt the intestines’ blood supply.

Common Treatments for Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Enteritis (X-ray of sick infant and inflammation of intestine)

Dr. Brian Gilchrist, a skilled pediatric surgeon with over 30 years of experience, has held many teaching roles and has been invited to give numerous presentations and lectures before medical professionals. Dedicated to advancing knowledge in the medical field, Dr. Brian Gilchrist edited a book about necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

A gastrointestinal disease that affects both premature and full-term infants, NEC is responsible for inflammation and infection in the intestines, leading to the damage and death of intestinal cells. The condition is categorized into three stages:

– Stage one is suspected NEC with mild symptoms such as lethargy and bloody stool;

– Stage two is definite NEC with the symptoms of stage one along with pain when the abdomen is touched and low blood platelet levels;

– Stage three is advanced NEC accompanied by low blood pressure and other issues.

Treatment of NEC depends on the stage, age, overall health, and tolerance to the medication. Surgery is usually required for stage three NEC. By this point, a hole may have developed in the bowel or intestine. Surgery removes the affected area and leaves undamaged intestines to regain their normal function.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis – Severe Intestinal Disease in Newborns

A member of the American Pediatric Surgical Association, Dr. Brian Gilchrist is a New York-based pediatric surgeon who has delivered lectures worldwide and has written and edited numerous publications on neonatal and pediatric surgical topics. Dr. Brian Gilchrist’s works include a book on necrotizing enterocolitis that is well-referenced in neonatal intensive care units across the country. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening intestinal disease with a high mortality rate in newborns and is the most frequent gastrointestinal emergency in NICUs.

The condition, which is characterized by inflammation and the bacterial invasion of the large intestine, most commonly affects severely ill and premature infants, particularly ones who weigh less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces. Intestinal tissue damage and death can occur as result of the inflammation and bacteria, which can create a hole in the intestines and destroy its walls. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks after a baby’s birth and can include bloody bowel movements, stomach bloating, fever, green bile, and poor feeding tolerance. Lethargy, slow heart rate, and pauses in breathing can also indicate infection.

Despite continuous research, the specific cause of NEC remains unknown. Medical professionals believe that low blood and oxygen flow play a part because the disease is most prevalent in premature infants who are born with weaker and immature lungs and intestines. These babies also have trouble fighting infection and breaking down food. In addition to premature birth, factors such as intestinal infections, difficult birth, and formula feeding for high-risk and premature infants can heighten the risk of NEC.

Healthcare providers can diagnose NEC by examining babies for signs of the condition and conducting an abdominal X-ray. A bubbly appearance in the intestine and indicators of gas or air in a child’s large veins in the liver are NEC indicators that can show up in an X-ray. Treatment can vary due to multiple factors, such as the severity of the disease and the child’s symptoms, general health, and age. Common steps can include halting feedings, providing intravenous fluids and nutrition, and offering oxygen support and using breathing machines.