NEC stage | Findings | ||
Clinical | Gastrointestinal | Radiographic | |
I | Apnoea, bradycardia | Gastric residuals | Mild intestinal dilatation |
Mild abdominal distension | |||
IIa | Apnoea, bradycardia | Grossly bloody stools | Marked intestinal dilatation |
Mild inflammation | Marked abdominal distension | Ileus | |
Absent bowel sounds | |||
IIb | Thrombocytopenia | Abdominal tenderness | Pneumatosis intestinalis |
Mild acidosis | Portal venous gas | ||
Inflammation | |||
IIIa | Moderate acidosis | Abdominal discolouration | Pneumatosis intestinalis |
Coagulopathy | Portal venous gas | ||
Hypotension | |||
Oliguria | |||
IIIb | Shock | Perforated bowel | Free abdominal air |