Abstract
Eleven neonates ranging in gestational age from 34 to 40 weeks presented with gastric necrosis. The 4 full-term neonates showed sudden-onset hemorrage and “coffee-ground” vomiting; in the 7 premature babies the initial clinical finding was abdominal distention. The criteria for diagnosis were: perinatal distress in prematures and transient neonatal respiratory distress in full-term babies. Radiographic evidence of gastric distention was typical and preceded clinical signs of hematemesis and gastric perforation. Surgery was performed in 8 patients; 3 received medical treatment. At surgery 1␣total and 3 subtotal gastrectomies and 4 segmental gastric resections were performed. Three of these patients died post-operatively as a consequence of multiorgan failure; a second look was necessary in one patient 1 week after surgery because of prepyloric perforation due to ulcers. Biopsy specimens taken from the site of perforation demonstrated extensive necrosis; ulceration was disseminated in the surrounding gastric mucosa; no signs of phlogosis were detected. The diagnosis, treatment, and physiopathologic considerations are reviewed.
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Accepted: 6 November 1997
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Pelizzo, G., Dubois, R., Lapillonne, A. et al. Gastric necrosis in newborns: a report of 11 cases. Pediatr Surg Int 13, 346–349 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003830050335
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003830050335