Premature Babies Need Breastmilk To Avoid NEC And Fight Infection

Breast milk contains natural nutrients, antibodies, and the mother's immune system that helps premature babies fight infection and disease

Thursday, January 20, 2022 - Parents are making the connection between feeding their prematurely born child Enfamil and Similac baby formulas, and the child developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening flesh-eating disease. NEC slowly destroys the stomach, intestines, and bowels. It is common knowledge that babies born prematurely need to put on weight as many are under three pounds at birth. There is no reason why breast milk is not considered the perfect food for a premature baby. Doctors recommend mothers pumps and store breast milk to be fed to the child. Prematurely born babies get special care in the neonatal intensive care unit where they live for the first few weeks. A premature baby is constantly monitored for signs of developing NEC. The doctor will stop formula feedings and place a feeding tube through the nose directly into the stomach if NEC is suspected. The baby will be examined for signs of infection and receive antibiotics via an IV line. A breathing machine may also be used to help facilitate breathing. More and more parents are coming to the same conclusion and filing NEC formula lawsuits. Abbot Laboratories and Meade Johnson Company failed to inform parents of the NEC formula risk.

The smaller the premature baby, the greater the odds of getting NEC. The smaller the baby, the greater the need to be fed natural breastmilk. Stanford Children's Health (SCH) is a leading provider of medical services for premies. The experts at SCH recognize NEC as the life-threatening condition it is and describe the disease. "Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the large intestine (colon) gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and kills some tissue in your baby's colon. Any newborn can get NEC. But it's most common in very sick or premature babies. This is especially true for babies who weigh less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces (1,500 grams). It is rare in older, larger babies. The smaller and earlier the baby, the higher the risk for NEC." The hospital goes on to tell parents that the causes of NEC are unclear, but whatever it is, it can be life-threatening. With NEC a hole may form in the baby's intestines, bowel, or colon allowing bacteria to re-enter the stomach and cause infection at the site of the ulceration. The ulceration becomes infected, and the tissue eats itself uncontrollably. Most cases of NEC require surgery, especially if the condition is left undiagnosed. Feeding a premature baby Enfamil, Similac, or another brand of chemically synthesized infant formula not only can damage the delicate digestive system but also deprives the baby of the nutrients through breastmilk that it needs to fight infection. SCH writes, "Any premature baby is at risk for NEC, but babies who don't get human milk are more likely to get NEC. Human milk is easier to digest. It also contains substances that help fight infection and help intestinal cells mature."

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Lawyers for NEC Formula Lawsuits

We will represent all persons involved in a NEC lawsuit on a contingency basis, meaning there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. Anyone whose child suffered from or died as a result of NEC from formula is eligible to receive a free, no-obligation case review from our attorneys. Simply contact our firm through the online contact form or the chat feature and one of our NEC formula lawyers will contact you promptly to discuss your case.