Final answer:
An increase in abdominal girth of greater than 1 cm in 4 hours suggesting prolonged gastric emptying is associated with NEC, and it is true that this requires immediate intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
An increase in abdominal girth of greater than 1 cm in 4 hours can indicate a significant problem in neonatal conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), where prolonged gastric emptying is a symptom. NEC is a serious gastrointestinal problem that affects mostly premature infants. When such abdominal distension is observed, it typically indicates that the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine is delayed, which could result from a complication such as NEC. This is a true statement and warrants immediate medical intervention.