What condition is indicated by an infant presenting with vomiting, abdominal distension, and bloody stools?

Vomiting, abdominal distension, and bloody stools in an infant are strongly indicative of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), particularly in a preterm infant. NEC is a serious gastrointestinal condition that occurs when the intestinal tissue becomes inflamed and starts to die. The symptoms develop as a result of bowel ischemia, which can lead to perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis.

In this condition, vomiting may occur due to ileus or obstruction caused by the inflamed bowel, while abdominal distension often results from accumulation of gas and fluid in the intestines. Bloody stools are a key symptom, as they indicate damage to the intestinal mucosa, often leading to the presence of blood in the stool. The combination of these symptoms is highly characteristic of NEC and reflects the severity and progression of the disease.

While other conditions like intussusception, malrotation, and appendicitis can also cause similar gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal distension, they typically present with distinct clinical features or demographic details that are more common in older children rather than infants. For example, intussusception often presents with intermittent abdominal pain and "currant jelly" stools, malrotation may present with bilious vomiting as an earlier symptom,