Necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a disease characterized by ischemia and necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract frequently leading to perforation of the intestine. It occurs primarily in the premature infant and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the low birth weight infant. Careful nursing and medical care can greatly reduce the incidence and severity of this disease, thus decreasing both the associated morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of NEC; presents a case study; and provides a nursing care plan for treatment of this disease.