What is NEC?

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease that mostly affects premature babies.


It causes inflammation and infection that can destroy intestinal tissue in a matter of hours.

Each year, thousands of infants are diagnosed, and NEC remains the leading cause of infant death in the U.S. — taking just over one baby every single day.

For parents, it’s more than a diagnosis — it’s a sudden, heartbreaking fight for their child’s life.

That’s why we’re here: to support families walking through the NICU and to fight for a future where no family faces NEC again.

What you should know:

Who it affects:
Premature and low birth-weight infants are the most vulnerable to NEC.

Warning signs:

  • Abdominal swelling

  • Feeding intolerance

  • Vomiting

  • Bloody stools

Diagnosis:
 Doctors diagnose NEC using a combination of clinical symptoms and imaging tests to see what’s happening inside the intestines.

Treatment:
 Treatment often includes stopping feedings, starting antibiotics, and, in severe cases, surgery to remove damaged sections of the intestine.

*Even with treatment, NEC can progress quickly. That’s why awareness, early detection, and family support are so important..

Why it matters:


NEC moves fast — sometimes in a matter of hours. It can lead to dangerous infections like sepsis or even the loss of intestinal tissue.
When parents and doctors recognize symptoms early, it can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why awareness matters.