Clinical presentation
NEC presents with both GI and systemic signs usually within 3–10 days of preterm birth,although the presentation can be delayed. Typically, a preterm neonate would develop NEC after its first enteral feed when the intestinal lumen first becomes colonized with bacteria. The most common presentation of NEC is intolerance to enteral feeding, abdominal tenderness and distension, bloody diarrhoea, lethargy (evident by reduced spontaneous motor activity), respiratory distress, shock, and body temperature instability.