True about neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis –

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is the most common life-threatening emergency of the gastrointestinal tract in the newborn period. The disease is characterized by a various degree of mucosa/ or transmural necrosis of the intestine. It occurs in premature or small for gestational age (LBW) infants. Clinical manifestations of necrotizing enterocolitis can be devided into 3 stages : Stage I : Suspected Unstable temperature, apnea, bradycardia, lethargy. Mild abdominal distension, vomiting blood in stool.  Above signs + Bowel sounds are diminished, with or without abdominal tenderness Stage II : Definite In more severe cases : Metabolic acidosis and mild thrombocytopenia  X-Ray : Pneumatosis intestinalis and dilation of interesting. Stage III : Advanced Above signs + infant has low BP, bradycardia, apnea, acidosis, DIC, anuria Frank signs of peritonitis with abdominal tenderness, distension and erythema of abdominal wall. X-Ray : shows Pneumoperitoneum.