Join With the Many Concerned Parents Taking Action
You have always heard that caring for a new baby is a learning curve. It can be difficult at times and requires patience. When it comes to feeding, your mother assured you the baby needs to get used to formula, as it is a big adjustment for them.
But you have questions and concerns.
Why is my baby losing weight?
Why has he lost his appetite?
Is it normal for him to have diarrhea and vomiting after eating?
I’m using brand names, so the formula can’t be the problem, right?
If this sounds familiar, you should take your baby to a pediatrician without waiting another moment. Let the pediatrician know what formula you use during feedings. If the doctor says your baby has developed NEC, you may be qualified to bring a case against the baby formula manufacturers.
NEC is a serious disease affecting the intestines of premature infants fed formula instead of breast milk. As your baby’s health is at stake, you need an experienced NEC baby formula lawyer.
How Do I Know If My Baby Has NEC?
Depending on the kind and cause, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) usually manifests within two to six weeks after birth. Babies who appear to be doing well may experience symptoms over a few days or all at once.
NEC symptoms include:
- Changes in heartbeat or blood pressure
- Changes in body temperature
- Changes in breathing patterns
- Vomit that is green or yellow
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss or no average weight gain
- Bloody stools and diarrhea
- Soreness and swelling in the abdomen
Effects of NEC on Your Newborn
NEC impacts 5%—12% of premature babies. Surgery is required in 20%—40% of NEC cases. The disease tragically results in death in 25%–50% of cases. When surgery is necessary, severe cases can lead to intestinal resection or death, and medical care for each newborn is often more than $300,000.
With probable lengthy medical repercussions and a death rate of up to 50%, surgery requires laparotomy (typically with intestinal resection) and ostomy construction.
Surgical NEC survivors may experience intestinal collapse or short bowel syndrome, which is accompanied by postoperative complications like:
- Intra-abdominal abscess
- Bowel obstruction
- Enterocutaneous fistulas (leaking of stomach or intestines through the skin)
- Improper wound healing
- Intestinal strictures
- Central line sepsis
- Poor neurodevelopmental outcomes
Premature Babies and NEC
If a baby is born very prematurely, it’s not a good idea for them to drink formula made from cow milk. This can increase their chances of getting the digestive problems associated with NEC. It’s mostly seen in preterm babies fed formula instead of human breast milk, and about 1 in 1,000 premature newborns get it. The risk is even higher for babies who weigh less than two pounds.
Full-term babies don’t usually get NEC, but it can still happen rarely, affecting about 1 in 10,000.
Who is to Blame for My Baby’s NEC?
NEC may be brought on by specific kinds of potentially poisonous baby formula. The makers of these potentially hazardous products—including Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company—are accused in an increasing number of infant formula lawsuits of failing to alert consumers to the risk. There are currently numerous class action and personal injury Similac baby formula lawsuits. Enfamil is experiencing similar legal cases involving its infant formulas.
Mead Johnson & Company and Abbott Laboratories make potentially hazardous baby formulas.
The baby formula NEC attorneys at Miley Law Group are examining allegations that Mead Johnson Nutrition failed to disclose the dangers of Enfamil.
Have you used any of the following products?
- Enfamil NeoPro EnfaCare Infant Formula
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 20 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil 24 Cal Infant Formula
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal High Protein
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
Our NEC baby formula lawyers are also examining NEC complaints against Abbott Laboratories Inc., the company that makes the following products:
- Similac Special Care 24 High Protein
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier Hydrolyzed Protein Concentrated Liquid
- Similac Special Care 20
- Similac Special Care 24
- Similac Special Care 30
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Alimentum Expert Care
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier
Can I Bring a Claim?
You can file a NEC infant formula lawsuit or join one of the class action baby formula lawsuits if you satisfy the following criteria:
- Your baby was born prematurely
- You fed your premature baby with an infant formula brand listed above
- A medical practitioner diagnosed your baby with NEC
Resources
WV Attorney General’s Office
Consumer Protection and Anti-Trust Division
State Capitol Complex, Bldg. 1, Rm E-26
1900 Kanawha Boulevard E
Charleston, WV 25305
Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Information
Find Us at a Location Near You
Clarksburg
229 West Main Street, Suite 400
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Morgantown
250 Scott Avenue, Suite 100
Morgantown, WV 26501
To maximize your payment, we write strong and thorough claims. An attorney at Miley Legal will handle your case with care. All you have to worry about is your baby’s recovery.
For a free case review, contact us right away.