This bill expresses support for designating May 17, 2026, as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the devastating intestinal disease affecting infants.
Mike Thompson
Representative
CA-4
This resolution expresses support for designating May 17, 2026, as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day." The goal is to raise public awareness about NEC, a devastating intestinal disease that severely impacts premature infants and their families. By increasing awareness, the resolution seeks to support efforts to reduce the incidence and improve outcomes for those affected by NEC.
Proposed Resolution Designates May 17, 2026, as Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day to Combat Fatal Infant Disease
This resolution marks a formal effort to designate May 17, 2026, as a day dedicated to raising awareness for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a severe and often fatal intestinal disease. The measure outlines the devastating impact of NEC, which stands as the leading cause of death for hospitalized premature infants after their second week of life. By establishing this awareness day, the resolution seeks to educate the public and healthcare providers on the urgency of the condition, which triggers rapid tissue death in an infant's intestines and can lead to fatality within hours of a diagnosis. Beyond the immediate health crisis, the bill highlights that survivors often face a lifetime of neurological and nutritional challenges.
The Human and Financial Toll
The impact of NEC stretches from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to the national economy. Annually, the disease accounts for approximately $5 billion in hospitalization expenses, representing nearly 19 percent of all neonatal healthcare spending in the U.S. For a family facing this crisis, a single case involving surgery can rack up costs exceeding $200,000. The resolution also points to a stark reality in healthcare equity: Black infants are disproportionately affected by NEC and experience higher mortality rates compared to White infants. This provision signals a need for standardized care and a closer look at how medical disparities influence survival rates for the most vulnerable patients.
Prevention and the Parental Role
While the resolution acknowledges that NEC cannot be entirely eliminated, it emphasizes proven preventive strategies that can be implemented in the nursery. It specifically identifies breast milk as the most effective defense, with pasteurized donor human milk serving as the primary alternative when a mother’s own milk is unavailable. Notably, the text clarifies that formula does not offer this same protection. For parents navigating the stress of a premature birth, the resolution advocates for a shift in hospital culture, explicitly stating that parents should be treated as the most vital members of their baby’s care team rather than just visitors. This shift aims to ensure families are fully informed and partnered with doctors to monitor risks and make critical care decisions.