Introduction

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease with both a high mortality and significant, life-long morbidity for a high proportion of survivors. Approximately nine out of ten cases occur in preterm infants but the disease is also seen in other groups of babies, primarily those born with congenital cardiac conditions. There is a broad range of clinical manifestations of the disease; in some cases babies recover completely with only conservative management. In more severe cases, babies require surgery and bowel resection. Infants with NEC can also develop systemic disease and multi-organ failure. Whilst this book is not intended to be an all-encompassing, comprehensive text it does cover all aspects of NEC. Readers should gain a good understanding of NEC and how to manage it and be much better placed to read new evidence and assimilate future innovatations in NEC management.