Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Laparoscopic Anterior Right Hepatectomy: A Single-Center Experience
Published on: December 4, 2023
Delayed diagnosis of spontaneous intestinal perforation among very low birth weight neonates: A single center
Doron J Kahn1,2, Sandra Gregorisch3, Jill S Whitehouse4
1Division of Neonatology, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, FL, USA. dkahn@mhs.net.
Objective:
To assess incidence and effect of delayed diagnosis of spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP).
Study Design:
Retrospective case series review of 58 VLBW neonates with SIP at our institution.
Result:
SIP was diagnosed in 6.1%, 10%, and 15.1% of VLBW, ELBW, and ≤750 g neonates, respectively. Abdominal distension (58.6%) and abdominal discoloration (53.4%) were the most common presenting signs/symptoms. Smaller (≤750 g) neonates were more likely to present with hypotension and higher FiO2, and larger (751-1500 g) neonates with increased abdominal girth and abdominal distension. All but one neonate had radiographic pneumoperitoneum, and 25.9% had pneumoperitoneum on an X-ray prior to the X-ray at SIP diagnosis. An education module reduced delay in SIP diagnosis.
Conclusion:
SIP presentation varies by birth weight and gestational age. Since SIP diagnosis is often first suggested on X-ray, all X-rays of VLBW neonates in the first 2 weeks of life should be scrutinized for pneumoperitoneum.
Related Concept Videos
09:51Laparoscopic Anterior Right Hepatectomy: A Single-Center Experience
09:35Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups
06:18In Vivo Visualization of Spontaneous Activity in Neonatal Mouse Sensory Cortex at a Single-Neuron Resolution
06:51Microfluidic Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Incorporating Human Neonatal Intestinal Enteroids and a Dysbiotic Microbiome
08:32Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates
06:25Long-Term Catheterization of the Intestinal Lymph Trunk and Collection of Lymph in Neonatal Pigs