As a parent, it is essential to be aware of the potential health risks that can affect your baby. One such risk is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal condition that can be fatal in some cases.
Fortunately, you can take measures like knowing the connection between baby formula and NEC to reduce the risk to your child. This article will provide an overview of NEC, discuss the different types of baby formulas, and provide information on how to reduce the risk of NEC in babies.
Baby Formulas Are Linked to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
NEC is a severe and potentially fatal condition affecting premature infants. The inflammation and necrosis of the intestinal tissue diagnose it. NEC can result in bowel perforation and sepsis.
Some evidence suggests that using certain types of infant formula may increase the risk of NEC in premature infants. For example, studies have found that premature infants fed baby formula with added cow’s milk protein have a higher risk of NEC than breast milk.
Premature babies are vulnerable to many diseases. For instance, premature babies can have the following medical conditions:
- Apnea
- Intraventricular hemorrhage
- Neonatal sepsis
An article published on the NCBI website in 2017 shows many studies link baby formulas to NEC in premature babies. However, It’s important to know that NEC is multifactorial, meaning that many factors contribute to the development of the disease.
If your child is affected by NEC due to baby formulas, you can file a Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit against the manufacturers who didn’t warn you. It all started in 2021 when a lady filed a suit against Abbott and Mead Johnson.
The lady’s son was born preterm, and she fed her baby formulas from the said manufacturers. Due to this, the lady’s son developed NEC. Hence, she filed a suit. If you face similar problems, you can file the Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit against the formula’s manufacturer. This will help you claim compensation for medical expenses and other sufferings you faced.
What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
NEC is a severe condition affecting newborns’ intestines. According to the Nationwide Children’s website, NEC affects over 7,000 babies annually and has a fatality rate of nearly 50%. The more premature or low-weight babies, the higher the risk of developing NEC.
NEC occurs when an infection invades and damages the tissue in the digestive tract, causing it to die off. NEC is most common in premature babies as they are typically more susceptible to infections than full-term infants.
Symptoms of NEC
The symptoms of NEC can vary, but here are some of the common ones:
- Abdominal distention: The baby’s belly may appear swollen and stiff.
- Blood in the stool: The baby may have dark, tar-like stools that contain small amounts of blood.
- Feeding intolerance: The baby may be unable to tolerate feedings or may vomit after feedings.
- Irritability: The baby may be fussy or inconsolable.
- Apnea: breathing stops for short periods
- Bradycardia: slower than normal heart rate.
- Temperature instability: low or high body temperature.
- Lethargy: baby is less active and alert than usual
If NEC is suspected, your baby must receive medical attention as soon as possible, as the condition can progress rapidly and become very serious. The diagnosis of NEC is usually confirmed by radiographic studies such as x-ray and ultrasounds. Treatment may involve antibiotics, surgery, and other measures to support the baby’s health until the condition improves toonily.
What Baby Formulas Are Linked to NEC
Parents who are concerned about their baby’s well-being should be aware of the following products:
- Enfamil
- Similac
- Pregestimil
If you’re wondering if your baby was exposed to any of these brands when she was first born, there may be a way for you to find out. If NEC concerns you as a parent or caregiver, you must talk with your doctor about what tests can be done to determine whether or not this condition has affected your child in some way.
How to File a Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit
You can seek compensation for your suffering if you believe your baby has suffered harm because of infant formula. Here’s how you can go about filing a toxic baby formula lawsuit:
- Consult with an attorney: Before taking any legal action, it is important to speak with an attorney specializing in product liability and personal injury cases. They will be able to evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand what to expect during the legal process.
- Gather evidence: The next thing is to team up with your attorney to gather pieces of evidence. Your attorney will let you know the evidence you can use to support your claims.
- File a complaint: Once your attorney has enough evidence to support your claim, they will file a complaint in the appropriate court. The complaint will be served on the defendant, who will then have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
- Discovery: Once the complaint has been filed, the discovery process will begin. This is where both parties gather information and evidence to support their case.
- Trial or settlement: Depending on the circumstances of your case, it may be resolved through a settlement, in which case the company will agree to pay you a certain amount of money in exchange for dropping the lawsuit. If the case goes to trial, a judge or jury will decide the outcome of the case.
Feeding baby formulas to your child can be harmful, even fatal, in some cases. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, there have been 2 deaths because of recalled infant formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare.
How to Prevent NEC
To prevent your baby from getting NEC, it’s essential to avoid giving them formula made with cow’s milk or soy.
The best way to do this is to breastfeed. If you’re breastfeeding, continue doing so as long as possible. That includes breastfeeding on demand and not just at mealtime for at least the first six months of your baby’s life.
Conclusion
Parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of NEC and seek medical attention immediately if they suspect their baby may be affected. By understanding the potential risks and being aware of the signs and symptoms, parents can take the necessary steps to help protect their babies from NEC. They can also go and file a lawsuit against baby formula manufacturers.
