Spontaneous Perforation of Colon in Previously Healthy Infants and Children: Its Clinical Implication

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Gastrointestinal pathology
• Neonatal care

Background:

• Spontaneous colon perforations are rare in infants and children outside the neonatal period.
• Necrotizing enterocolitis is the common presentation in neonates, but this study focuses on non-neonatal cases without pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical implications of spontaneous colon perforation in infants and children beyond the neonatal period.
• To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of these rare cases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 11 cases of spontaneous colon perforation confirmed post-operatively.
• Analysis of clinicopathological characteristics.
• Comparison of clinical data based on the presence of pneumoperitoneum as initial findings.

Main Results:

• Eleven patients presented with a history of hospitalization for fever, respiratory, or gastrointestinal issues.
• Six patients experienced sudden abdominal distention; seven had pneumoperitoneum on initial imaging.
• Perforations occurred across all colon segments, most frequently in the sigmoid colon (4 cases).
• No specific pathological or serological causes for perforation were identified.

Conclusions:

• Sustained fever with sudden abdominal distention in previously healthy infants and children warrants consideration of spontaneous colon perforation.
• Prompt surgical management is essential for positive patient outcomes.
• Early recognition and intervention are key in managing this condition.