[Spontaneous intestinal perforation in premature infants]

Spontaneous intestinal perforations mainly affect preterms within their first two weeks of life.

In contrast to the findings in necrotizing enterocolitis demarcations due to spontaneous perforations are sharply punched out of an otherwise vital bowel section. Pathophysiologic interactions currently are poorly understood. Arterial hypotension and vascular compromises seem to play a crucial role in the development of spontaneous intestinal perforations.

Clinical characteristics are abdominal distension and green-blue discolouration in association with a stable general condition. Intestinal perforations require surgical intervention in terms of primary anastomosis or barrelled stoma, for instance. Spontaneous perforations carry favourable prognosis with a rare chance of relapses.