If you’re a parent whose premature infant developed necrotizing enterocolitis after being fed Similac™ or Enfamil™ cow’s milk-based baby formula, you may be owed compensation. Continue reading to learn more about cow’s milk–based baby formula, how it may be linked to necrotizing enterocolitis, and who can join the Enfamil™ and Similac™ baby formula lawsuit.
What is the Enfamil and Similac baby formula lawsuit?
Since the early 2020s, parents across the country have sued Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company, makers of the popular baby formula brands Enfamil and Similac. They claim that feeding their babies these cow’s milk-based formulas caused the babies to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal disease. Some required multiple surgeries, and others died.
The lawsuits allege that cow’s milk in the formulas caused NEC and that Abbott and Mead Johnson failed to warn parents and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff about this risk, despite substantial scientific evidence. They claim the manufacturers knew about the danger but did not include warning labels on their products.
What is necrotizing enterocolitis?
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness that mostly affects premature infants and causes severe inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This may cause a hole to develop in the baby’s intestinal wall, leading to digestive and intestinal fluid leaking into the blood and abdominal cavity.
NEC can cause sepsis, a condition where the body responds improperly to an infection, and may be fatal if not treated immediately. Surgeons often remove the damaged tissue, but the procedure may leave the infant’s intestine too short. This can cause poor nutrient absorption along with lifelong digestive problems.
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a leading cause of death among newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit, affecting an estimated one to three infants for every 1,000 live births. These numbers increase among infants born prematurely or who fall into the “very low birth weight” category.
Common NEC symptoms
The signs and symptoms of NEC can vary from infant to infant. Doctors also often mistake it for sepsis. According to the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, common symptoms of NEC include:
- Abdominal swelling
- Bloody stools
- Poor feeding or a feeding intolerance
- Green vomit or gastric drainage
- Sluggishness
- Trouble breathing or periods of stopped breathing
- Low heart rate
- Temperature instability
Can Enfamil and Similac baby formula cause NEC in premature infants?
The exact cause of NEC is still unknown, but research shows that cow’s milk proteins, commonly found in baby formulas like Enfamil and Similac, are a major risk factor.
One study found that infants fed cow’s milk formula face a higher risk of developing NEC than those who receive human breast milk.
Another study published with the National Institutes of Health suggests proteins specific to cow’s milk may contribute to the condition, especially in babies born prematurely.
Medical experts also believe premature infants are more vulnerable because their lungs, intestines, and other systems are still underdeveloped, making it harder for them to fight infections and digest food.
Preterm infants have less ability to fight infection and digest food. Cow’s milk-based formulas like Enfamil and Similac can stress an underdeveloped digestive system, triggering inflammation that may contribute to NEC. If this inflammation causes a perforation in the intestine, bacteria can leak into the abdomen. Without prompt treatment, the condition can be severe or even deadly.
While NEC can occur in full-term babies, the condition is far more common in premature infants, occurring in nearly 10% of premature babies.
Joining the baby formula lawsuit
You may qualify for the baby formula lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company if your baby was:
- Born prematurely or with a low birth weight after 2006, and
- Fed a cow’s milk-based formula manufactured by Enfamil or Similac, and
- Diagnosed with NEC and/or short bowel syndrome
If your baby experienced any of the above or passed away due to Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson’s failure to include warnings on their cow’s milk-based formulas, you may have a case.
Fill out the form below or call Woods & Woods for a free case evaluation.
See if you qualify for the baby formula lawsuit
Enfamil is a registered trademark of Mead Johnson and Similac is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories. Their names are used here only for the purpose of identifying the products in question. Woods & Woods, LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by or associated with Mead Johnson or Abbott Laboratories.
