What is the treatment for NEC, and how long will it take for my baby to recover?

The treatment for NEC is stopping any feedings, starting antibiotic therapy, administering medications to stabilize the blood pressure and blood components (e.g., platelets and plasma) to prevent bleeding, and supporting breathing. Often a pediatric surgeon will be requested to evaluate the baby. Monitoring with repeat X rays of the abdomen, blood testing, and physical examinations are performed, often as frequently as every six hours.

A surgery is needed if a hole (perforation) occurs in the intestine or if the baby is not getting better. If surgery is performed, frequently a section or sections of intestine may be removed and the ends of the intestine brought up to and through the abdominal wall. The surgeon may decide to place a piece of rubber drain in the abdominal space if the infant is unstable and will not tolerate a major operation.

The length of recovery may vary from ten to fourteen days in the cases that respond to medicines, to a prolonged (years long) dependence on IV fluids in cases where there has been extensive involvement or removal of intestine.