Beware the Innocent Presentation of a Spontaneous Perforated Meckel Diverticulum: A Rare Case and Review of the Literature

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2019 Dec;35(12):881-883. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001993.

Abstract

Perforation of a Meckel diverticulum in a preterm neonate is very rare. To our knowledge, only 7 cases of spontaneous Meckel perforation in a preterm neonate have previously been described in the literature. The etiology is uncertain. We present the case of a 30-week preterm female twin with a spontaneous Meckel diverticulum perforation discovered on day 3 of life and review the published cases. A possible etiological explanation for this rare entity at this age group is also suggested.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Surgical / methods
  • Cesarean Section / methods
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intestinal Perforation / etiology*
  • Intestinal Perforation / pathology
  • Labor Presentation
  • Laparotomy / methods
  • Meckel Diverticulum / complications*
  • Meckel Diverticulum / pathology
  • Meckel Diverticulum / surgery
  • Pneumoperitoneum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pneumoperitoneum / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Radiography / methods
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / etiology*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Twins

Supplementary concepts

  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome In Premature Infants