What are common symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis?

Bloody stools and apnea are indeed common symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates. NEC is a serious gastrointestinal condition that primarily affects premature infants. The presence of bloody stools indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which can occur due to inflammation and bowel necrosis. Apnea, defined as pauses in breathing, is also frequently associated with NEC, as the condition can impact the infant’s respiratory drive, potentially leading to more severe systemic issues.

In contrast, the other listed symptoms are not typical indicators of NEC. Fever and rash can be seen in a variety of conditions, but they are not specific or primary symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis. Jaundice is more related to liver function and can occur in many newborns, while constipation does not align with the typical presentation of NEC, where impaired bowel function often leads to feeding intolerance, potentially resulting in diarrhea rather than constipation. Lastly, diarrhea and significant weight gain do not characterize NEC; instead, affected infants may struggle with feeding and gain weight poorly due to the underlying gastrointestinal complications.