[Chylous ascites in newborn infants]

Chylous ascites was recognized by abdominal ultrasonography in a 37 week gestational age newborn girl presenting with early transient respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia and progressive abdominal distension. Diagnosis was confirmed by abdominal puncture. Treatment was focussed on dietary management which included oral amino acids, vitamins, medium chain triglycerides, maltose-dextrin; commercial rice starch and cane sugar and was followed by complete recovery at age two months.