What is a potential long-term complication of necrotizing enterocolitis?

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal condition commonly affecting premature infants, characterized by inflammation and infection of the intestines. One of the significant long-term complications associated with NEC is neurodevelopmental delay.

This is due to several factors. First, NEC can lead to an increased risk of systemic infection and compromised overall health in critically ill infants, which may impact their neurological development. Secondly, the surgical intervention required to treat severe cases of NEC can also contribute to potential impairments, either through physiological stress or by affecting the development of the central nervous system.

Long-term studies have shown that infants who have experienced NEC are at risk for various neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cognitive impairments and developmental delays, which form part of the established medical understanding around NEC and its aftermath. This makes neurodevelopmental delay a significant concern for healthcare providers monitoring the growth and development of infants who have had NEC.

The other options do not connect as directly to the physiological and developmental effects instigated by NEC. For example, while hearing loss could occur in some neonates, it is not a recognized common complication specifically linked to NEC. Issues like television addiction and short stature are also not typical outcomes of NEC. Therefore, neurodevelopment