Cow’s milk-based infant formulas and milk fortifiers sold under the brand names Enfamil and Similac may increase premature babies’ risk of developing NEC, a devastating disease that primarily affects the intestines and results in local infection and inflammation—ultimately destroying intestinal tissue and often causing permanent damage.
The intestinal and abdominal damage caused by NEC often requires surgery to repair. NEC can be fatal. Surviving infants may suffer from significant and lasting adverse health effects, including—among other things—serious neurodevelopmental conditions, short bowel syndrome, and growth failure.
Serious health impacts that may be associated with NEC include:
- Intestinal perforation
- Intestinal infection
- Abdominal infection
- Sepsis
- Death
- And more
