NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS OF INFANCY - EARLY ROENTGEN PATTERNS AS A GUIDE TO PROMPT DIAGNOSIS

Necrotizing enterocolitis of infancy most commonly affects premature infants during the first several weeks of life. In most cases it is a devastating condition that often progresses to severe complications or death. The classic abnormalities, such as gas in the bowel wall and/or portal vein, are generally late manifestations. The author has consistently observed several distinct radiographic findings in early stages of the disease: ileus and elongation of bowel loops; loss of bowel wall definition; and a disorganized, atonic pattern of intestinal gas. These findings are helpful in early diagnosis, particularly when the clinical features are nondiagnostic.