Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal condition that mostly affects premature babies resulting in inflammation and death of intestinal tissue.

In 2012, American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that all premature infants be fed an exclusive human milk diet because of the risk of NEC.

Abbott Laboratories makes a wide range of different infant formula products under the Similac brand name. Almost all Similac formula products are made from cow milk. Clinical studies show that premature infants who are fed with cow-milk formulas such as Similac are 10 times more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF NEC:

• Sepsis
• Short-Bowl Syndrome
• Intestinal Perforation (hole in the intestine)
• Removal of a Portion of the Intestines

Manufacturers did not provide warnings to doctors with their products of the increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants.