Necrotizing Enterocolitis – Top USMLE Diseases

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a life-threatening inflammatory condition of the bowel that is characterized by mucosal injury, bowel necrosis or perforation. The condition is more common in pre-term infants. Bowel ischemia is believed to play a key role in the pathology of the condition, especially in full-term infants.

Apnea of prematurity is a condition that is believed to be caused by the immaturity of the respiratory center in the brainstem of premature babies and is characterized by periods of apnea that are longer than 20 seconds. Apnea that is less than 20 seconds but associated with significant bradycardia and/or oxygen desaturation can be also considered as apnea of prematurity. A full diagnostic workup to exclude sepsis, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage and other causes of apnea should be performed. Tactile stimulation is usually sufficient for mild apnea. Oxygen supplementation might be needed in moderate cases of apnea while medical treatment should be provided to severe cases.