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Retroperitoneal abscess and omphalitis in young infants

C F Feo1, A Dessanti, B Franco

  • 1Unit of Paediatric Surgery, Department of General Surgery, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 26, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Retroperitoneal abscesses in infants may stem from omphalitis (inflammation of the navel). Early suspicion and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in these rare cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric surgery
  • Neonatal infections
  • Abdominal abscesses

Background:

  • Retroperitoneal abscesses in infants are uncommon and often idiopathic.
  • Omphalitis is a potential, yet under-recognized, contributing factor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the aetiopathogenetic factors of retroperitoneal abscess in neonates.
  • To explore the correlation between omphalitis and retroperitoneal abscess development.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two infants with retroperitoneal abscess.
  • History of omphalitis in the neonatal period.
  • Surgical drainage and microbiological cultures.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus identified in one case's abscess and the other's umbilical pus and abscess.
  • Both infants recovered well following surgical intervention.
  • Omphalitis was a preceding factor in both cases.

Conclusions:

  • Omphalitis may be an aetiopathogenetic factor in neonatal retroperitoneal abscess.
  • Early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are vital.
  • Further investigation into the omphalitis-abscess link is warranted.
Abstract

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