Portal hypertension in children following neonatal umbilical disorders.

10 children presented pre-hepatic portal vein obstruction during their first 6 years of life. 8 of them had massive esophageal varices, 1 died from acute esophageal hemorrhage. The perinatal history of these childre was studied: All of them had an abnormal birth history and all had been hospitalized during their neonatal period. In 5 of them an umbilical infection had been diagnosed, one had an injection of THAM and one other an exchange transfusion through an umbilical vein catheter. Pre-hepatic portal vein occlusion in children is presumed to be mainly an acquired disease resulting from neonatal umbilical disorders.