Enterocolitis
Enterocolitis is an inflammation of the small and large intestines, often resulting from severe bacterial infections. It is characterized by symptoms such as copious and sometimes bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, and high fever, particularly in young children. The two primary types of enterocolitis are bacterial enterocolitis, which can arise from infections like Campylobacter or Salmonella, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which predominantly affects newborns. NEC is considered a medical emergency and may present with poor feeding, abdominal tenderness, decreased bowel sounds, and more severe systemic symptoms like apnea and shock.
Bacterial enterocolitis typically requires treatment through rehydration and sometimes antibiotics, while NEC may necessitate surgical intervention, such as intestinal resection, particularly in severe cases. This condition is notably dangerous in underdeveloped regions, contributing significantly to child mortality. Understanding the causes and recognizing the symptoms of enterocolitis is crucial for effective management and treatment, especially in vulnerable populations like infants and young children.
Subject Terms
Enterocolitis
ALSO KNOWN AS: Acute infectious diarrhea
ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Gastrointestinal system, intestines
DEFINITION: Inflammation of the small and large intestines, which may be caused by a severe bacterial infection.
CAUSES: Bacterial infection; unknown for necrotizing enterocolitis
SYMPTOMS: For bacterial infection, copious and sometimes bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, high fever in young children; for necrotizing enterocolitis, poor feeding, abdominal distention or tenderness, decreased bowel sounds, apnea, lethargy, shock, cardiovascular collapse
DURATION: Acute
TREATMENTS: For bacterial infection, intravenous fluids and antibiotics; for necrotizing enterocolitis, surgery (intestinal resection)
Causes and Symptoms
Enterocolitis is characterized by copious and sometimes bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration. A high fever usually exists in young children. Cultures of the and blood can establish the exact involved.
Campylobacter enterocolitis, resulting from infection with Campylobacter bacteria, is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea. It is endemic in developing countries, and epidemics are seen in Western countries in daycare centers. Salmonella enterocolitis is an infection in the lining of the caused by Salmonella acquired through the ingestion of contaminated food or water or exposure to reptiles. This type of enterocolitis can range from mild to severe and lasts from one to two weeks.
A different type of enterocolitis is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), the most common medical emergency occurring in newborns. It is more prevalent in infants. NEC may begin with poor feeding, abdominal distention or tenderness, and decreased bowel sounds. If it becomes systemic, then symptoms can include apnea, lethargy, shock, and collapse. Outbreaks of NEC seem to follow an pattern, suggesting an infectious disease, but a specific causative organism has not been identified. Research suggests that several factors may be involved.
Treatment and Therapy
The treatment of bacterial enterocolitis involves rehydration and, in some cases, antibiotics. In underdeveloped countries, where medical care is poor, enterocolitis causes more than 60 percent of all deaths in children under age five.
Infants with NEC cannot take food by mouth and often must be fed through a central venous catheter. Those with severe disease may require surgical intervention such as intestinal resection. The rate for NEC approaches 50 percent in infants weighing less than 1,500 grams.
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