NY J01626

Requests Governor Hochul to proclaim May 17, 2026, as Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Awareness Day in New York State

NEC is the most common cause of death in hospitalized premature infants after two weeks of age, with thousands of babies developing the condition annually and hundreds dying from it

The disease results in approximately $5 billion in annual hospitalization expenses nationally, with surgical cases costing an estimated $200,000 or more each

Breast milk and pasteurized donor human milk are identified as the most effective preventative measures for at-risk infants, while formula does not protect against NEC

Highlights racial disparities in care, noting Black infants are disproportionately affected by and die from NEC compared to white infants