Neonatal gastric teratoma: a rare entity.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Surgical Pathology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Gastric teratoma is an exceptionally rare neoplasm in children, accounting for less than 1% of all teratomas.
• These tumors are predominantly benign and often present as abdominal masses, primarily in male infants.
• The stomach is an unusual site for teratoma development, with fewer than 100 cases documented globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an extremely rare case of gastric teratoma in a neonate.
• To contribute to the limited world literature on gastric teratomas.
• To highlight the diagnostic and management considerations for this rare pediatric condition.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 20-day-old infant presenting with a large abdominal mass.
• Clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and pathological findings were reviewed.
• Surgical management and postoperative outcomes were documented.

Main Results:

• A large gastric teratoma was identified in a 20-day-old infant male.
• The tumor was predominantly benign, consistent with typical teratoma characteristics.
• The infant underwent successful surgical resection of the gastric mass.

Conclusions:

• Gastric teratomas are exceedingly rare in pediatric populations.
• Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes.
• This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses in infants with abdominal masses.