NEC Flashcards
NEC
a period of ischemia that leads to necrotic injury of the GI tract
who is NEC most common in?
preterm infants
is NEC emergent?
YES
prenatal disposing factors for developing NEC
-preterm labor
-prolonged rupture of membranes
-preeclampsia
-maternal sepsis
-amnionitis or chorioamnionitis
-uterine hypoxia
postnatal disposing factors of developing NEC
-RDS
-patent ductus arteriosus
-CHD
-exchange transfusion
-low birthweight
-low Apgar scores
-umbilical cath
-hypothermia
-GI infection
-hypoglycemia
-asphyxia
Pathophysiology of NEC
-period of low perfusion, low oxygenation
-body diverts blood to brain & starves GI tract
factors leading to NEC
-decrease immune response
-prematurity (immaturity of bowels & immunity)
-increased permeability to bowels from inflammation
-decreased peristalsis causing stasis in bowels
-period of hypoxia reducing blood flow to bowels
nursing interventions to help prevent NEC
-slow feedings
-NG or OG tubes
-increase feeds slowly, allows Gi to catch up (helps gut mature & encourages gut function)
-human milk is preferred
benefits of body feeding
-protects gut lining
-antibodies from birthing parent
-can get donor milk
what to look for in abdominal distention
-measure abdominal girth (increase 1-2 cms)
-swelling
-red, purple, grey
-visible veins
-visible loops of bowel
what do do is NEC is suspected
-STOP enteral feedings
-IV- retore fluid balance
-TPN - maintain nutrition
-gastric decompression
-antibodies
-monitor I&O
diagnosis of NEC
-abdominal xray
sepsis from NEC
-hypotension
-temperature instability (usually low)
-irregular breathing
-elevated WBCs
-bleeding from perforated bowel
treatment of NEC
-bowel rest (nothing by mouth)
-TPN
-central line
-antibiotics
-decompress abdomen
-surgery
