The first two weeks of April 2015, three new very premature births suffered from acute enterocolitis at the Caen University Hospital in Lower Normandy. “Three of them died despite the care they received,” said the hospital in a statement taken up by Normandie actu.
Acute enterocolitis is inflammation of the lining and stomach. This pathology exclusively affects very premature babies born before 32 weeks of pregnancy. Enterocolitis is responsible for acute digestive disorders that are normally reversible, as the hospital press release points out. “Often, after a food stop for a few days, the child will regain normal bowel movement. But sometimes the disease can lead to more serious complications, which can lead to generalized infection and even death.”
Five more cases reported in early April
These three deaths are not the only cases of acute enterocolitis reported in the hospital setting. In the same press release, the CHU specifies that “five very premature babies followed in the neonatal department were also taken care of in early April 2015 for similar disorders but their state of health is satisfactory today”.
The large number of infections over a short period, namely 15 days, alerted the health authorities. A crisis unit has been set up by the Caen University Hospital in collaboration with the Regional Health Agency and the Ministry of Health. An investigation is underway to identify the possible cause of these acute enterocolitis.
Since April 14, no new case of infection has been reported to the Caen University Hospital.
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