Necrotizing Enterocolitis⚡Mnemonic⚡ : 100% Chance You Won’t Forget !

Causes of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: FEED

F – Formula feeding

E – Enteric pathogens

E – Early clamping of umbilical cord

D – Decreased blood flow to the intestine

Triggers for Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: MILK

M – Mechanical ventilation

I – Immature bowel

L – Low birth weight

K – Kangaroo care interruptions

Risk Factors For Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: PREEMIE

P – Prematurity

R – Reduced blood flow to intestines

E – Enteral feeding complications

E – Exchange transfusion

M – Multiple births

I – Intrauterine growth restriction

E – Extremely low birth weight

Warning Signs of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: ABDOMEN

A – Abdominal distension

B – Blood in stool

D – Diarrhea

O – Overt intestinal perforation

M – Metabolic acidosis

E – Emesis (vomiting)

N – Not feeding well

Predisposing Factors of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: SMALL

S – Small for gestational age

M – Maternal cocaine use

A – Anemia

L – Low Apgar scores

L – Lack of breast milk

Signs & Symptoms of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: BELLY

B – Bloating of the abdomen

E – Eating poorly

L – Lethargy

L – Low or unstable temperature

Y – Yellowish or greenish vomit

Characteristic Findings In Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: GASP

G – Gas in the intestinal wall

A – Abnormal abdominal X-rays

S – Systemic instability

P – Pneumatosis intestinalis

Clinical Features of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: CRY

C – Consistency changes in stool

R – Respiratory distress

Y – Yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice)

What Should Be Avoided In Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: STOP

S – Stressful handling

T – Transfusion of blood products (carefully monitor)

O – Overfeeding

P – Premature introduction of oral feedings

Drugs Used To Treat Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: VAN

V – Vancomycin

A – Ampicillin

N – NSAIDs (for patent ductus arteriosus)

Drugs To Avoid In Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: COLD

C – Corticosteroids (controversial)

O – Oral medications

L – Loop diuretics

D – Drugs causing vasoconstriction

Radiological Features of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: X-RAY

X – eXtensive pneumatosis intestinalis

R – Rigler’s sign (air outlining both sides of the bowel wall)

A – Ascites

Y – Yielding portal venous gas

Diagnostic Tests for Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: TEST

T – Thrombocytopenia in blood tests

E – Elevated C-reactive protein

S – Stool testing for occult blood

T – Testing for intestinal obstruction or perforation (X-ray)

Laboratory Findings In Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: LAB

L – Lactic acidosis

A – Anemia

B – Blood culture (for bacterial infection)

Complications of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: SCAR

S – Strictures

C – Cholestasis

A – Abscess formation

R – Recurrence of NEC

Differential Diagnosis of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mnemonic: MIMIC

M – Milk protein allergy

I – Intestinal atresia

M – Meconium ileus

I – Infectious enterocolitis

C – Colonic stricture