Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Necrotizing enterocolitis with gastric perforation in a 24-day old preterm neonate
Tamas Toth1, Reka Borka-Balas2, Manuela Cucerea3
1Institution Organizing University Doctoral Studies (IOSUD) George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures; Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics Department, Targu Mures Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Targu Mures, Romania.
Introduction:
Neonatal gastric perforation (NGP) is a rare, life-threatening surgical emergency that predominantly affects premature and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants and remains associated with high mortality.
Case Presentation:
A 600 g female infant born at 25/26 weeks of gestational age developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) during the third postnatal week and deteriorated with abdominal distension and pneumoperitoneum. Emergency laparotomy on day 24 revealed a single posterior gastric wall perforation with circumferential necrotic margins; the nasogastric tube tip was located at the defect. After minimal debridement and primary two-layer closure, the infant survived a prolonged intensive care course complicated by recurrent sepsis, cholestasis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and later adhesive obstruction requiring adhesiolysis.
Conclusions:
Gastric perforation may represent an uncommon manifestation of severe NEC in ELBW infants. Delayed onset, necrotic margins, and systemic inflammatory deterioration may favor ischemic NEC-related injury over iatrogenic trauma. Early radiographic evaluation and prompt surgical exploration are crucial for survival.
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