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Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal condition that primarily affects premature infants, although it can also occur in full-term infants. It is characterized by inflammation and injury of the intestinal tissue, which can progress to necrosis and perforation of the bowel. NEC is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), particularly among very low birth weight infants. Diagnosis of NEC is based on clinical signs and symptoms, radiographic findings, and laboratory tests. Management of NEC involves a multidisciplinary approach, including supportive care, medical therapy, and surgical intervention when necessary. Supportive care includes bowel rest, intravenous fluids, and nutritional support. Medical therapy may include antibiotics, gastric decompression, and parenteral nutrition. Surgical intervention may be required for infants with intestinal perforation, severe NEC, or complications such as intestinal stricture or short bowel syndrome. This condition and its complications may carry consequences for life and especially sport performance in the child’s future. Strategies for preventing NEC include promoting breastfeeding, avoiding unnecessary antibiotic exposure, minimizing enteral feeding interruptions, practicing strict infection control measures, and implementing protocols for gradual feeding advancement in premature infants. Overall, NEC is a complex and multifactorial disease that poses significant challenges in neonatal care. Early recognition, prompt intervention, and comprehensive management are essential for optimizing outcomes for affected infants. Further research is needed to better understand the pathophysiology of NEC and to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Difficult pediatric airways can present significant challenges in clinical practice and cause consequences for sport performance. Etiologies of difficult pediatric airways can range from congenital abnormalities, acquired conditions such as trauma or inflammation, systemic diseases such as neuromuscular disorders and craniofacial abnormalities to iatrogenic causes including complications of airway interventions and anesthetic complications. Proper assessment of difficult airways risk requires a thorough understanding of the anatomical and physiological differences in pediatric patients. Assessment of Management strategies may include adequate non-invasive techniques, advanced airway devices, pharmacological interventions, surgical interventions, continuous monitoring with extensive postoperative care provided by a multidisciplinary team, involving pediatric anesthesiologists, otolaryngologists, pediatricians, and critical care specialists. Difficult airway in anesthesia practice may lead to mild to life-threatening complications such as difficult mask ventilation, failed intubation, esophageal intubation, airway trauma, hypoxia, hypercarbia, aspiration, barotrauma, difficult extubation, unoptimal sedation or anesthesia, postoperative complications and other consequences. All of this can be a predictor of decreased respiratory efficiency, and thus a predictor of low future athletic performance in children and may have a negative impact on future career choices. This comprehensive overview aims to provide insights into the etiologies, assessment, and management strategies for difficult pediatric airways, with a focus on optimizing patient outcomes and safety and to help understand potential influence on future sport performance.