Babies born prematurely or with a low birth weight face an uphill battle when it comes to their health. However, from their first days of life, their well-being may be threatened by a surprising culprit: infant formula. A growing body of research suggests that preterm babies or babies with a low birth weight who are fed formula made from cow\u2019s milk are much more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (abbreviated as NEC), a potentially deadly condition involving the death of intestinal tissue. If your baby has suffered from NEC, you might have legal recourse \u2014 and Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is here to help you find it.<\/p>
\nBabies who survive necrotizing enterocolitis often suffer lasting damage. Many are diagnosed with short bowel syndrome and other major complications. These conditions require ongoing maintenance, and financial compensation can help ensure your child can access all the medical care they need.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Why Choose Us?<\/h2>\n
You and Your Child Deserve a Committed Advocate<\/h3>\n
If you\u2019re planning on filing an NEC claim, you don\u2019t want just any attorney to represent you. When your child\u2019s long-term well-being is on the line, you need a personal injury lawyer who can craft a compelling case. Here are a few of the reasons to consider Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law:<\/p>\n
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- We\u2019ve been helping injured Texans achieve justice since 1985.<\/li>\n
- Founder Terry Bryant is board certified in personal injury trial law and is a former judge.<\/li>\n
- We have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients.<\/li>\n
- We regularly secure multimillion-dollar recoveries<\/a> for our clients.<\/li>\n
- There\u2019s no risk to you \u2014 you pay us only if we\u2019re able to recover compensation for you.<\/li>\n
- Our clients love us<\/a>, and our online reviews are 98% positive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Our team is committed to helping injured people stand up to negligent businesses and individuals. We\u2019re ready to put our experience to work for you!<\/p>\n
What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and How Does It Happen?<\/h2>\n
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious illness that almost exclusively affects babies. While it can affect babies of any age, babies born prematurely are at much greater risk. Here\u2019s a look at the frequency of NEC diagnoses<\/a>:<\/p>\n
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- NEC affects about one in 1,000 babies born prematurely.<\/li>\n
- NEC affects about one in 10,000 full-term babies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The risk for NEC is especially high in smaller babies \u2014 and specifically those less than two pounds.<\/p>\n
Doctors aren\u2019t sure how NEC develops in babies. However, the fact that premature infants tend to have weaker immune systems and less blood flow to the intestines may contribute. In infected babies, intestinal tissue becomes inflamed. The inflammation may be relatively mild in some cases and heal without long-term consequences. In others, the inflammation is so serious that it causes parts of the intestine to die.<\/p>\n
Consequently, many babies who develop NEC suffer from major complications. Scientists estimate that babies diagnosed with NEC have a mortality rate from 30% to 50%<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Recent research has connected baby formulas made with cow\u2019s milk to the development of NEC, especially in babies born prematurely. Doctors don\u2019t know exactly how cow\u2019s milk triggers the development of NEC, but the correlation is strong enough that many healthcare professionals now recommend that babies be fed only formulas made from human breast milk.<\/p>\n
However, many hospitals choose to continue giving infant formula fortified with cow\u2019s milk. Some healthcare providers believe that NEC concerns are exaggerated, and many hospitals continue giving cow\u2019s milk formula because it\u2019s significantly less costly than formulas based on human breast milk.<\/p>\n
If your baby was diagnosed with NEC, call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for your free and confidential consultation.<\/b><\/p>\n
How Can NEC Affect Your Baby?<\/h2>\n
While NEC can be treated, it puts infants at risk for a number of short-term and long-term complications:<\/p>\n
Peritonitis (Infection of Abdominal Cavity)<\/h3>\n
If intestinal tissue starts to die, the breakdown in the tissue allows intestinal bacteria to leak out into the abdominal cavity. That can lead to an infection called peritonitis. While peritonitis is treatable, it puts your baby at risk for developing sepsis<\/a>, which can be fatal. The earlier you (or your baby\u2019s healthcare provider) notice the signs of infection, the greater your baby\u2019s chances of making a full recovery.<\/p>\n
Short Bowel Syndrome<\/h3>\n
Sometimes, NEC affects the intestines so severely that the baby needs large portions of their intestine removed. If they end up needing a portion of the small intestine removed, they may be diagnosed with short bowel syndrome. Because the small intestine is responsible for the absorption of most water and nutrients, short bowel syndrome may make it impossible for your child to receive the nutrients they need without medical intervention. Unfortunately, because there is no way to regenerate the small intestine, children with short bowel syndrome often need medical care for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n
Intestinal Stricture<\/h3>\n
If your baby develops NEC and heals completely, they may later develop what\u2019s called an intestinal stricture. This is a narrowing of a portion of the intestinal tract. A very slight stricture might not pose much of a problem, but a stricture that is significant enough may lead to an intestinal blockage. Some children may need surgery to open the stricture.<\/p>\n
Growth and Developmental Delays<\/h3>\n
The long-term effects of NEC are not limited to the digestive system. Children who suffer from NEC as babies are more likely to suffer from developmental delays. The risk is especially high in babies whose NEC had to be treated with surgery. Doctors believe this has to do with the connection between the brain and the gut (often called the gut-brain axis<\/a>). These are some of the main developmental delays that have been associated with NEC:<\/p>\n
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- Cerebral palsy<\/li>\n
- Delays in the development of motor skills<\/li>\n
- Various types of learning disabilities and other cognitive impairments<\/li>\n
- Problems with vision and hearing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If your baby is diagnosed with NEC \u2014 and especially if they have to have part of their intestines removed \u2014 they may also suffer from delays in physical growth. These delays may be caused by a reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food.<\/p>\n
Who Is Liable When a Baby Develops NEC?<\/h2>\n
Most of the time, NEC lawsuits are filed against the manufacturer of the baby formula used. The exact argument your lawyer uses will vary depending on the circumstances of your case, but many lawsuits involve arguments like these:<\/p>\n
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- The manufacturer is irresponsibly selling a defective product \u2014 it should be aware of the dangers it poses to infants.<\/li>\n
- The manufacturer failed to warn consumers that the product could increase the risk of NEC, especially in premature babies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In some cases, your attorney may suggest filing a lawsuit against the healthcare provider who fed your baby the cow\u2019s milk formula. If your legal team can prove that the healthcare provider knew (or should have known) about the dangers of cow\u2019s milk formulas, they may be able to argue that the healthcare provider was negligent.<\/p>\n
FAQ<\/h2>\n
If your baby has been diagnosed with NEC, you probably have many questions. These are some of the questions our clients most commonly ask us:<\/p>\n
What is necrotizing enterocolitis?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a condition common in premature babies. It causes intestinal inflammation and death of intestinal tissue itself.<\/p>\n
Who is responsible for NEC cases?<\/strong><\/p>\n
NEC can develop in different ways, but recent research has found that babies given formula fortified with cow\u2019s milk are at much greater risk of an NEC diagnosis. You may be able to file a lawsuit against the formula manufacturers \u2014 and sometimes even the hospital that fed the formula to your baby.<\/p>\n
How can NEC affect a baby?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Some cases of NEC lead to short bowel syndrome, bowel strictures, and growth and developmental delays. Others can lead to death<\/a>. However, there are some babies who develop mild cases of NEC that can be treated with no long-lasting effects.<\/p>\n