title: Unsuspected invasive neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis: A clinicopathological study of six cases from a tertiary care hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the clinicopathological features of neonatal mucormycosis
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of cases of neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  THERE WERE SIX NEONATES WITH MALE: female ratio of 1:1. Except one all were preterm babies. The clinical presentation was abdominal distension in the majority. All were clinically diagnosed as either NEC or toxic megacolon with perforation. Neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis was not suspected clinically in any. All the children were explored immediately. Biopsy revealed transmural hemorrhagic necrosis/infarction of the intestinal wall with fungal hyphae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The physicians should have a high index of suspicion for gastrointestinal tract mucormycosis in neonates with metabolic disturbances who present with abdominal distension and pneumoperitoneum. Early diagnosis and aggressive medical and surgical treatment may improve the outcome of neonates with this potentially lethal invasive disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Global Hospitals and Health City, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sushma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patra
authors.forename: Mukul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vij
authors.forename: Dinesh K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Chirla
authors.forename: Narendar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Subash C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Samal