Spontaneous focal intestinal perforation in prematurity: report of three cases

Three premature neonates with a localized perforation of the intestine, but not associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or gastrointestinal anomaly are reported. The birth weight of these babies was around 1500 g and they exhibited striking similarities in the clinical course. Before laparotomy, NEC was firstly impressed. Abdominal distension, refusal of feedings, poor activity and respiratory distress were the major manifestations. Pneumoperitoneum was all detected before operation. The perforate site was terminal ileum in one and anterior cecum in the other two babies. The gastrointestinal tract was otherwise normal. The first case received segmental resection of the perforation with end to end anastomosis and the other two underwent ileostomy. Bacteria was discovered from the peritoneal fluid in the second and third cases, including E. coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae respectively. The postoperative course was complicated with wound infection and adhesion ileus in two patients. Rectal suction biopsy in the second and third cases showed normal histology. Until present all three patients were uneventful. We concluded that premature or very low birth weight infants with spontaneous, localized gastrointestinal perforation and peritonitis had milder course than NEC, and if promptly diagnosed and treated, the prognosis is excellent.