An unusual late complication of necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) now is managed frequently successfully with out surgical intervention. NEC may result in strictures, which present afte r the acute inflammatory process has resolved. Strictures usually present a s obstruction in the first year or two of life. A case report is presented of an 11-year-old child who had symptoms from a previously undiagnosed NEC stricture as a result of pica when coins obstructed the stricture. As treat ment of NEC continues to improve, more and later complications of this dise ase can be expected. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.