Back in mid-2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its first warning regarding common thickening agent Simply Thick. The FDA warned parents and doctors that feeding infants Simply Thick in breast milk and formula may lead to the life-threatening condition known as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released this information, they had been informed of 15 cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) which included two cases in which the infants died after being fed Simply Thick. Initially, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested that parents not give Simply Thick to infants who were born prematurely or who had recently been in the hospital.
Approximately a year after the initial statement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and Simply Thick, the FDA issued another warning. The major change in the FDA’s statement, was that they were no longer focusing on just premature infants, but also stated that infants ‘of any age’ may face a higher risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) if given SimplyThick.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Symptoms
At this time there are 15 reported cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among infants who were given SimplyThick, in two of these cases, the affected infants have died. The infants suffering from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were given SimplyThick for differing amounts of time before showing symptoms of NEC. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by the death of intestinal tissue. It is a serious disorder which causes difficulty feeding, gastric residuals, bloody stools, and can lead to intestinal ischemia leading to intestinal perforation which in many cases requires surgery and extended hospitalization.
Some early signs of the presence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) include the appearance of a bloated stomach, illness, difficulty feeding, greenish vomiting, and bloody stool. Medical professionals report that Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) has a mortality rate of 25% and can cause life-long severe complications among those who survive the disease.
Some of the most common symptoms of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) include:
- Red or blue color in the belly
- Tiredness (lethargy)
- Body temperature issues
- Diarrhea or bloody stools
- Breathing problems
- Slow heart rate
- Green vomit
- Swollen belly (abdomen)
NEC Lawsuits: Contact a Lawyer
If your child is currently suffering or has suffered from Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), and they took a thickening agent like SimplyThick to supplement breast milk or formula, you may have a potential NEC lawsuit against the makers of the thickening agent. Women across the nation are currently filing NEC lawsuits on behalf of their infants suffering from this dangerous condition. Our NEC Lawyers are currently standing by ready to offer a free consultation for your potential NEC lawsuit.