Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit Settlement Information
Similac and Enfamil are the two brands of baby formula most commonly associated with NEC lawsuits. These popular baby formula brands were marketed as safe for premature infants despite years of research linking cow milk-based formula with NEC. The claim suggested that baby formula could be a superior alternative to breast milk. There is, however, important safety information being withheld from parents, hospitals, and doctors about the possibility of surgical NEC or wrongful death among premature babies caused by Similac or Enfamil side effects.
What Does NEC Stand For in Baby Formula?
In NICUs and hospitals, premature baby formulas such as Similac or Enfamil can cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a potentially fatal gastrointestinal injury.
What Causes Babies to Develop NEC?
The inflamed or dead portions of the intestines of a baby develop NEC when harmful bacteria breach the walls of the intestine. In the absence of treatment, NEC can cause the intestinal tissue to die, resulting in the formation of perforations in the intestines that facilitate the entry of bacteria into the abdomen or bloodstream.
What is the treatment for NEC in infants?
As a result, many preemie babies with NEC will require emergency surgery to remove parts of their intestines or construct ostomies to close holes in their intestines. Surgery for NEC can leave a child with lifelong disabilities and injuries. A small percentage of preemie NEC cases will result in death, however.
Is toxic baby formula responsible for NEC?
In fact, toxic baby formula can lead to NEC. Preemie infants who are fed cow’s milk-based formula, such as Enfamil and Similac, are significantly more likely to develop NEC, which can cause wrongful death, surgical NEC, or long-term health problems.
Why do baby formulas such as Similac or Enfamil cause NEC?
Both Similac and Enfamil products are made with hydrolyzed cow’s milk that has been processed to remove certain proteins that can cause allergic reactions in some people.
While Similac or Enfamil are generally safe to use, they can be much more likely to cause NEC when given to premature or low birth weight babies than when given breast milk, donor milk, or breast milk-based formula.
There is a link between baby formula and neonatal encephalopathy (NEC) among premature babies that has been established for years. The company failed, however, to include NEC warnings or information to help hospitals and parents recognize the risks associated with Similac’s product.
Is Formula Linked to NEC Risk?
The Lancet published a 1990 study of NEC that found that cow’s milk products such as Similac and Enfamil were 6 to 10 times more likely to cause NEC than breast milk. Cow’s milk formula products had a 20 times higher risk of NEC for preemies born after 30 weeks of gestation.
An analysis of premature babies who were solely fed breast milk compared to those fed formula found that only 3% of breast-fed babies suffered NEC, compared to 21% of infants who were fed formula.
