Blood Where it Shouldn't Be

Dear Ellie,

A moment ago, there was blood in your poop.  And yes, mentioning that detail is completely necessary.  One of the biggest fears in the NICU is Necrotizing Entercolitis.  That's a technical term referring to exploding intestines... and its terrifyingly common.  Because a micro-preemie's intestines are so immature, they have a tendency to die and disintegrate.  Once that happens, fecal matter spills into the open cavities of their abdomen.  Unfortunately, you were given a treatment recently that is known to induce these kinds of problems.  They are doing an x-ray now.