The first years of nutrition are crucial for children’s growth and good health. For decades, parents have complemented breastfeeding with infant formula to reinforce their children’s nourishment. However, recently, babies have developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis, and parents filed an NEC class action lawsuit.
There are several reasons for parents to use infant formula to feed their babies. Sometimes, mothers do not have enough breast milk, suffer an illness, or have to start working soon, and need extra help to feed their babies.
Traditional infant formula is usually the most effective solution for those obstacles. Moreover, this alternative way of feeding also allows parents to measure the exact amount of milk given to their children.
For many years, traditional infant formula was the most loyal ally for parents and a healthy way to feed babies in case of a lack of breast milk.
Unluckily, some babies have shown severe symptoms related to infant formula feeding, and parents started an NEC class action lawsuit. The ground of this claim is that this formula is cow-based, which is inadequate for infants.
According to different sources, the babies affected were born at less than 37 weeks. These children were especially vulnerable, and their parents did not receive any warning from manufacturers or professional information from their doctors.
What is NEC?
To understand the significance, knowing what NEC is is necessary. As we already mentioned, NEC stands for Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a severe condition affecting babies’ intestines, increasing the probability of bacterial infections.
Parents decided to start an NEC class action lawsuit since there is a strong link between cow milk’s baby formula and NEC symptoms. Furthermore, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) stated that preterm infants should not be fed this formula. In these cases, health problems can worsen to the point of needing surgery or even causing death.
What are NEC’s symptoms?
NEC is a severe disease that affects intestinal tissue and causes infection and inflammation of the abdominal area. Even though Necrotizing Enterocolitis can cause different symptoms from baby to baby, the most common NEC baby formula symptoms are:
- Bloated belly: sometimes, babies’ gut may look red or tender
- Feeding intolerance
- Constipation
- Diarrhea or bloody stools
- Lethargy
- Low body temperature
- Greenish-yellow vomit
- Apnea (a temporary stop in breathing)
- Intense pain in the abdomen
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate).
NEC baby formula symptoms are opposed to others, which can confuse parents. If you notice some of these symptoms and you believe that there is a small possibility that your baby is experiencing this disease, contact your doctor or take your baby to an emergency.
Detecting this disease soon and treating your baby fast can significantly affect the illness outcome. Keep these symptoms in mind and be alert to every detail in order to act quickly and avoid serious health problems.
NEC’s diagnosis and treatment
In case you detect any of the NEC baby formula symptoms, the first thing to do is take your child to the hospital and confirm the diagnosis. In order to do so, doctors will:
- make X-Rays to detect abnormal gas patterns
- insert a needle into the baby’s abdomen, looking for fluid leaking
- look for blood in the baby’s tool
- carry out blood tests looking for infection
Once NEC is diagnosed, doctors will start a specific treatment. In most cases, the treatment consists of giving three types of antibiotics for ten days, and after 72 hours, infants start responding positively to it.
When babies experience further complications, they may need bowel surgery to remove necrotic tissue or more strict treatments to avoid breathing difficulties and intestine and kidney failure.
Every parent works hard to protect their children and give them a healthy and happy life. For many years, Traditional Infant Formula has been a safe and valuable alternative for those babies who could not be breastfed.
Hundreds of parents are facing the bitter reality that a product that was supposed to feed their babies is affecting their health. Thus, families are filing NEC lawsuits as individual plaintiffs or as a part of multi-district litigation.
NEC disease and its severe symptoms have shocked hundreds of families and have raised the question of what is better for your baby. The adverse effects of infant formula have alarmed society, and health and legal professionals got involved in the infant formula industry.
In this regard, it is essential to highlight that NEC disease is not involved in every infant formula, and lawyers have two main aims: seek justice for the victims and regulate which brands are safe to use in preterm children.
This litigation is early, and families await settlements or verdicts for the NEC baby formula lawsuits. If you are part of the injured party, look for an NEC baby formula lawyer that helps you collect evidence and guide you in every step of the legal process.
Today, society has more information about this matter, and parents have more resources to care for their children’s health. To keep your child safe, check the ingredients of your baby’s formula, consult your doctor, and pay attention to every symptom.
Feeding your baby should not threaten life; infant formula manufacturers must ensure your children’s health. Legal actions will help parents keep using infant formula without fear of the results.
Thankfully, NEC disease in babies will diminish, families will feel safe again, and babies will be fed without facing any risks. Feeding your baby must not be a risk-taking sport; baby products must follow strict regulations to ensure children grow healthy.
Deciding what is better for your children is one of the most challenging tasks; choosing your baby’s milk brand should be a smooth decision.