ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 195
BY REPRESENTATIVE MELERINE
A RESOLUTION
To recognize Friday, May 17, 2024, as Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day in the state
of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an intestinal disease that primarily
affects premature and medically fragile infants; the disease causes a severe inflammatory
process that can lead to intestinal tissue damage and is the most common cause of death in
hospitalized premature infants after two weeks of age; and
WHEREAS, babies born prematurely or with a medical complication, like congenital
heart disease, are most at risk of NEC; thousands of babies develop NEC each year and
hundreds of babies die from this complex intestinal condition; many babies only live for a
few hours or days after NEC is diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, surgery for NEC is not curative, and babies who survive often have
lifelong neurological and nutritional complications; and
WHEREAS, NEC results in approximately $5 trillion of hospitalization expenses per
year and roughly nineteen percent of neonatal healthcare expenditures in the United Sates,
with an estimated cost of $200,000 or more for each case of surgical necrotizing
enterocolitis; and
WHEREAS, although the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis cannot be fully eliminated,
preventative measures are effective at reducing risks; feeding breast milk is one of the most
effective ways to help prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in medically fragile infants; and
WHEREAS, more data is desperately needed to better understand how and why NEC
occurs in infants; and
WHEREAS, because of disparities and variation in care, black infants are
disproportionately affected by NEC compared to white infants; and
Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 195 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, to build a world without necrotizing enterocolitis and improve outcomes
for infants and families, we must raise awareness about this devastating neonatal disease.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Friday, May 17, 2024, as Necrotizing
Enterocolitis Awareness Day in Louisiana and does hereby recognize the importance of
raising awareness about this devastating neonatal disease.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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