title: An unusual complication of umbilical catheterisation.
abstract: We report the first case of perforated Meckel's diverticulum in a 1-day-old pre-term infant as a consequence of umbilical vein catheterisation. The clinical course consisted of abdominal distension and pneumoperitoneum that occurred after 12 h of life. Perforated Meckel's diverticulum was found at laparotomy. Neither inflammatory phenomena nor ectopic mucosa were found at microscopical examination. Perforation of the diverticulum was a complication of umbilical catheter insertion through a narrow lumen in the umbilical cord mistaken for an umbilical vein and connected to Meckel's diverticulum through a very short fibrous band. A search of the literature did not reveal any similar cases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. simocosta@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: De Carolis
authors.forename: Immacolata
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Savarese
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manzoni
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lacerenza
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord; D014471:Umbilical Veins