Gastrointestinal perforations in newborns with high mortality: A series of 18 cases

Abstract

Gastrointestinal perforations (GIP) in newborns are serious neonatal conditions that have significant morbidity and mortality, especially in resource constrained setups. This study was done to describe our experience of GIP in neonates and identify the factors leading to high mortality in our setup. We collected 18 cases with GIP in neonates. The average age was 5.7 days (range, 1-7 days). The sex ratio was 0.64. The average time to treatment was 3.3 days (range, 1-10 days). The etiology of GIP was perforated necrotizing enterocolitis (13 patients), spontaneous gastric perforation (2 patients), perforated ileal atresia (1 patient), ileal perforation complicating a strangulated inguinoscrotal hernia (1 patient), and peritonitis after colostomy (1 patient). Mortality was 77.8% (n=14), among which 9 newborns (64.3%) died preoperatively. Prematurity, management delay, and lack of a neonatal intensive care unit were the main poor prognostic factors. Mortality from GIP is still high in our context due to several factors, especially prematurity, management delay, and lack of a neonatal intensive care unit.

Are multidisciplinary consultation meetings for prenatal diagnosis achievable in a low-income country? A descriptive cross-sectional survey in Benin

“…10 In Benin, neonatal mortality, which in 2014 according to the PNDS (Plan National de Developpement Sanitaire) 2017-2022 11 was 38%, would seem to be increasing. [11][12][13] From what we retain from our daily practice, these deaths are largely attributable to congenital anomalies incompatible with life. [10][11][12][13][14] In Benin, there is neither a register of congenital malformations nor official figures, making it difficult to control them on a national scale.…”

“…[11][12][13] From what we retain from our daily practice, these deaths are largely attributable to congenital anomalies incompatible with life. [10][11][12][13][14] In Benin, there is neither a register of congenital malformations nor official figures, making it difficult to control them on a national scale.…”

Péritonite aigue néonatale par perforation anténatale du tube digestif aux Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa : Rapport de deux cas

“…Elle est souvent liée à une entérocolite ulcéro-nécrosante et rarement à la maladie de Hirschsprung (2). Bien que rare (3), elle représente environ 10 à 16% des perforations gastro-intestinales chez les nouveau-nés et elle est greffée d'une lourde mortalité surtout dans les pays à ressource limitée (4)(5). Elle survient généralement chez les nouveau-nés prématurés (2).…”

Improving neonatal surgical outcome: My vision

“…[12] These figures are even worse than the figures reported from Nigeria [13], although similar record is reported from Benin. [14] The issue of surgical neonatal sepsis has been beautifully elaborated earlier in JNS. [15] We need to prevent sepsis by well-known strategies such as handwashing, use of disposables, continuous monitoring, and surveillance of sepsis in the Surgical NICU.…”