["Hepatoportal pneumatosis with pneumatosis intestinalis in the neonate" (author's transl)]

A fullterm newborn infant two weeks of age, suffering from congestive heart failure due to a large patent ductus arteriosus, deteriorated suddenly presenting with a paralytic ileus. Radiographically diffuse intestinal pneumatosis and gas in the portal vein system could be shown. A mechanical reason was excluded by laparotomy shortly after which the infang died. Out of blood Klebsiella pneumonia could be grown. A survey of the literature on the syndrome of pneumatosis intestinalis and gas embolization into the portal vein system in the neonatal age group disclosed 41 cases. Based on this material etiology radiological features, differential diagnosis, prognosis and treatment is discussed in detail.