Baby Formula Manufacturers Facing Lawsuits
Compensation may be availableFormula manufacturers Abbott and Mead Johnson are facing numerous lawsuits filed by parents whose infants developed necrotizing enterocolitis after ingesting Enfamil or Similac milk-based baby formula. Infants who are fed only breast milk have a lower risk of NEC.
The manufacturers have been accused of failing to warn parents of potential gastrointestinal risks associated with the milk-based baby formulas.
What is NEC?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious digestive disease that may develop in premature infants. It causes inflammation of the intestines and may lead to serious infection, permanent injury or even death.
Symptoms of NEC include:
- Swelling, tenderness or redness of abdominal area
- Difficulty feeding
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Fever or temperature changes
- Slow or abnormal breathing
- Low blood pressure or heart rate
NEC usually occurs in infants who are considered premature or born sooner than 32 weeks gestation and develops between 2 to 4 weeks after birth. The use of milk-based formulas, even if made for premature infants, can increase the risk for NEC. Babies who only consume breast milk have a lower risk of NEC.