Final answer:
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is diagnosed with an X-ray showing pneumatosis intestinalis and is treated with NPO, TPN, antibiotics, and possibly surgery. Risk factors include prematurity and feeding practices. C. difficile may be involved, with diagnosis via clinical presentation and lab tests, and management dependent on the infecting organism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal disorder that primarily affects premature infants. On an X-ray, one might typically see signs such as pneumatosis intestinalis, which is the presence of air within the wall of the bowel, indicative of bowel wall necrosis. Treatment often includes making the patient nil per os (NPO), providing total parenteral nutrition (TPN) if necessary, administering antibiotics, and surgical resection of any necrotic bowel. Risk factors for NEC include an underdeveloped premature gut, the introduction of feeds, and the use of formula instead of breast milk.
NEC may also be associated with opportunistic bacterial infections like Clostridium difficile, characterized by watery diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and abdominal pain. Diagnosis is typically made by considering clinical presentations, patient history, and diagnostic tests, including X-rays for NEC, culture, and PCR for bacterial infections. Treatment approaches may differ based on the specific causative agents involved and the severity of the condition.