[Primary peritonitis in the newborn: a recently recognised disease]

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Peritonitis
• Pediatric Surgery
• Intensive Care Medicine

Context:

• Neonatal primary peritonitis is a rare condition characterized by diffuse peritoneal inflammation without a clear visceral cause.
• This condition is infrequently documented during the neonatal period, posing diagnostic challenges.
• Patients are often admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with severe symptoms.

Purpose:

• To raise awareness among the surgical community about neonatal primary peritonitis.
• To facilitate prompt diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgical interventions in neonates.
• To highlight the importance of recognizing this condition in NICU settings.

Summary:

• A case series describes 7 neonates diagnosed with primary peritonitis during NICU hospitalization.
• Clinical presentation included significant symptoms such as abdominal tenderness and prolonged ileus.
• All 7 neonates were successfully treated with conservative therapy, with no surgical intervention or mortality.

Impact:

• Emphasizes that neonatal primary peritonitis should be considered in neonates presenting with peritonitis symptoms.
• Demonstrates that a favorable outcome is achievable with appropriate conservative management, even with severe initial symptoms.
• Supports the avoidance of surgical exploration in favor of medical management for primary peritonitis in neonates.