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Ileal perforation caused by congenital or perinatal cytomegalovirus infection
Y C Huang1, T Y Lin, C S Huang
1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Insights
Cytomegalovirus infection caused unexpected ileal perforation in an infant with enteritis. This suggests gastrointestinal issues may be more common in congenital or perinatal cytomegalovirus infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Virology
- Neonatalogy
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can cause serious illness in newborns.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of congenital or perinatal CMV infection are not always recognized.
- Early diagnosis and management of CMV in infants are crucial for preventing severe complications.
Observation:
- A 42-day-old female infant presented with enteritis.
- During hospitalization, the infant unexpectedly developed ileal perforation.
- The clinical presentation and diagnostic findings pointed towards a CMV infection.
Findings:
- Serologic tests, urinary viral cultures, and pathological examination of the resected ileal segment confirmed cytomegalovirus infection.
- The ileal perforation was directly linked to the CMV infection.
- This case highlights a severe, previously under-recognized gastrointestinal complication of CMV.
Implications:
- Congenital or perinatal cytomegalovirus infection may present with significant gastrointestinal complications, including ileal perforation.
- Increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for CMV are needed in infants with unexplained enteritis and GI distress.
- This finding underscores the importance of considering viral etiologies in neonatal surgical emergencies.
Abstract:
Enteritis developed in a 42-day-old female infant, and during hospitalization ileal perforation occurred unexpectedly. Serologic data, urinary viral culture, and pathologic studies of the resected ileal segment all suggested cytomegalovirus infection. Gastrointestinal involvement in congenital or perinatal infection with this virus may be relatively more common than previously recognized.