Communicating About Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious, sometimes fatal complication of prematurity and a challenging diagnosis to discuss with parents. In this article, we will discuss communication topics and strategies before, during and after a diagnosis of NEC, including the protective role of mother's own milk, the inability to fully eliminate the risk of NEC, the possibility of fulminant NEC, and long-term sequelae. We argue for clear and transparent communication to partner with and empower families, especially at the time of NEC diagnosis and at key transitions of care throughout the neonatal intensive care unit stay and beyond.