Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation in a Very Low Birth Weight Infant: Successful Management by Peritoneal Needle Suction

The baby was born at 27 weeks gestation to a 31year-old mother by normal vaginal delivery. Birth weight was 1370 grams and Apgar scores were 9 at one minute and 10 at five minutes. He was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress syndrome requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) support. On the second day of hospital stay, although the general condition of the baby was stable, he developed abdominal distension. However, there was no erythema, tenderness or, a palpable lump. Abdominal X-ray revealed pneumoperitoneum, with free gas under both the domes of diaphragm (Fig.1A).