NEC is diagnosed by examining the baby for signs listed above. Apart from those signs, an X-ray may show a bubbly appearance in the intestine and signs of air or gas in the liver. Air may also be found outside the intestines in the abdomen if there is a hole in the intestine. The gold standard in diagnosis rests on visualising the intestines at surgery and obtaining a pathological sample of a piece of bowel that is resected. However, not every baby with NEC undergoes surgery so diagnosis in this situation is based on history, clinical and radiological signs and working in close collaboration with a Paediatric Surgeon.
