title: Spontaneous focal gastrointestinal perforation in very low birth weight infants.
abstract: Spontaneous, focal gastrointestinal perforation occurred in six very low birth weight infants. The first recognized clinical sign of perforation in five of the six infants was striking blue-black discoloration of the abdominal wall. In all cases the clinical and radiographic presentations, as well as the histologic findings, were distinct from those associated with necrotizing enterocolitis. All 4 infants who underwent exploratory laparotomy and repair had excellent surgical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Aschner
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Deluga
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Metlay
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Emmens
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hendricks-Munoz
mesh_terms: D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis