NEC Disease Linked to Cow’s Milk Formula Enfamil and Similac
Necrotizing Enterocolitis Afflicts Premature Babies Fed Cow’s Milk Formula
In most cases, baby formula is a safe choice for newborns. This is true if you follow standard guidelines and feeding practices. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website has a detailed report on infant formulas. This report lists approved manufacturers and their products.
It also highlights the best practices for feeding formula to a baby. However, one major issue regarding cow’s milk baby formula arises when a baby is born prematurely.
According to most modern studies and evidence, premature babies should not be fed cow’s milk baby formula.
A 2020 study by the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) National Library of Medicine found that even milk-based fortifiers in conjunction with a base diet of breastmilk had a negative impact on premature infants’ health.
The consensus and evidence regarding the use of cow’s milk baby formula on premature babies are pretty clear. It often results in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious and potentially deadly condition.
If you or a loved one had a premature baby that was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), you may have a case if your baby was fed a cow’s milk formula. The experienced NEC lawyers at The Yost Legal Group are here to help you and hold the manufacturers accountable for their negligence.
What is considered a Premature Birth?
Colloquially, people talk about human pregnancy in terms of months and frequently say that it lasts about nine months. However, doctors and other medical professionals talk about human pregnancies in terms of weeks.
The average length of a full-term human pregnancy is 40 weeks, which is a little longer than just “nine months.” However, as long as the pregnancy lasts at least 37 weeks, it is still considered a “full-term pregnancy.”
Anything under 37 weeks is considered a “premature birth,” i.e., the baby is born too early. However, not all premature births are the same. The earlier the birth, the greater the health risk to the baby, outcomes that can be long-term, lifelong, or even fatal.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a newborn can be:
· Late Preterm: born between 34 and 36 completed weeks of pregnancy
· Moderately Preterm: born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy
· Very Preterm: born between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy
· Extremely Preterm: born before 28 weeks of pregnancy
The Mayo Clinic does note, however, that “most premature births happen in the late-preterm stage.” And the Cleveland Clinic states that about 10% of births in the United States are premature.
Health Risks Associated with Premature Birth
As mentioned, the earlier the birth in terms of the number of weeks completed, the higher the risk of health issues for the newborn. A late-preterm newborn may be as healthy as any baby born after 37 weeks of gestation.
If health factors are present, symptoms can range from mild to serious. However, it is always advised to follow professional medical advice after premature birth, even if symptoms are not readily apparent or seem mild.
Symptoms of premature birth include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Small-sized/underweight baby
· Smaller/less-developed brain
· Problems breathing
· Problems feeding
· Low body temperature
· Newborn jaundice
What causes Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
In a 2023 study, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) stated that “necrotizing enterocolitis is caused by bacterial invasion into the intestinal wall.”
When babies are born early, they have not had enough time to grow safely in the womb. The exact way bacteria invade and cause NEC in premature babies remains unclear. A 2023 NLM study found that premature infants have an underdeveloped gastrointestinal tract. This immaturity may lead to necrotizing enterocolitis.
Additional studies, even ones dating back to 2011, have shown a link between premature babies fed with cow’s milk formula and the development of NEC.
Although it is possible for babies who are exclusively fed breast milk to develop NEC, the incident rate is much lower. The Cleveland Clinic also supports this data with its findings that NEC affects 1 in 1,000 premature babies while “the condition only rarely affects full-term infants”, at about 1 in 10,000 full-term babies.
While it is possible to diagnose NEC clinically, doctors often require diagnostic imaging to determine the condition’s stage. Radiography is the most commonly used tool because it can show the intestines and areas affected by the rogue bacteria.
There are three Bell’s stages of NEC:
· Bell’s stage 1 (suspected disease)
· Bell’s stage 2 (definite disease)
· Bell’s stage 3 (advanced disease)
Health Risks Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis
NEC is a severe condition that affects the gastrointestinal tracts of premature babies, leading to bacterial infections of the intestinal wall. If diagnosed and treated immediately, the effects of NEC can be minimized. However, doctors can miss symptoms, leading to untreated NEC.
When not treated, bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract can cause serious infections. These infections can kill intestinal tissue and lead to bacteria leaking into other organs. Bell’s stage 3 means the presence of dead tissue or bowel perforations.
In the United States, NEC caused 355 deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2013. The death rate for Black Americans was three times higher than for White Americans.
Symptoms of NEC include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Abdominal swelling
· Bloody stools
· Green vomit
· Poor feeding
· Inability to gain weight
· Organ failure
· Death
If you or a loved one had a premature baby diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis after it was fed cow’s milk baby formula, there is no time to delay. Call or text the experienced NEC lawyers today for a free initial consultation regarding your potential case. Our defective product lawyers will hold these companies accountable for their negligence. We are available for a free consultation at 410-659-6800 to file an NEC lawsuit.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis Lawsuit
We at The Yost Legal Group understand how sensitive this subject is. We are talking about the health, life, and well-being of children—and not just any children, but your children or grandchildren.
For years, we have pursued claims against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson related to this NEC litigation, and the fight is just getting started.
It is time we hold these multinational, billion-dollar companies to account for their negligence in developing and marketing dangerous products. These products are being fed to newborn and premature babies and, in certain cases, causing grave harm, if not death.
If NEC is not caught and treated in time, the damage done to the premature baby might never be fully healed. It could require a lifetime of care. And those affected deserve compensation.
Already, we are seeing cases go to court and settlements reached against the manufacturers of cow’s milk formulas fed to premature infants who would go on to develop NEC. The Yost Legal Group will continue to fight.
Call or text an experienced NEC attorney today for a free case evaluation. Our number is 410-659-6800. There is no charge or fee unless you recover. Our legal team is here to help you get the justice you deserve.