Spontaneous Perforation of Meckel's Diverticulum Without Peritonitis in a Newborn: Report of a Case

Abstract

A case of a newborn male with a perforation of Meckel's diverticulum is reported. The clinical course consisted of progressive abdominal distention and pneumoperitoneum that formed within 29 h after birth. The perforation of Meckel's diverticulum was not associated with peritonitis because meconium did not contaminate the abdominal cavity. The histology of the diverticulum showed a nearly intact muscular layer but a focal muscular defect. Neither any inflammatory phenomena nor ectopic mucosa was found. A congenital focal muscular defect of the diverticulum and a sudden elevation of intraluminal pressure due to bowel movement after birth may thus be the pathogenesis of a spontaneous perforation. A search of the English literature did not reveal any similar case.

Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulum in a 3-day-old Neonate; A Case Report

“…Common presentations of neonatal Meckel’s diverticulum that have been reported in the literature include perforation, intussusception, segmental ileal dilatation, and ileal volvulus. 4-8 Perforation was one of our findings in the current report. …”

“…3 It rarely occurs in neonatal period and only few cases have been reported until now in the literature. 4 …”

Pneumoperitoneum in a Micro – Preemie due to Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulum

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Our patient is probably the youngest micropreemie baby reported with a perforated MD to date. Despite worsening clinical status, the patient did not have radiographic evidence of pneumoperitoneum until DOL 5.…”

Neonatal Perforation of Meckel Diverticulum: About Two Cases

“…The most common presenting symptoms is bowel obstruction [3], gastrointestinal bleeding was reported in one case [4]. Perforation of MD in neonates is rare, a review of the literature revealed only 22 cases from 1953 to 2016 with a sex ratio equal to 4.6 (M/F: 14/3) and a gestational age ranging from 28 to 41 weeks ( Table 1).…”

“…Routine thoraco abdominal radiograph taken 10 h after birth showed none expanded stomach and a dilated intestinal loop beneath the liver edge. Therefore, he was treated in nil-by-mouth status and was supplied with intravenous fluid [1][2][3][4][5]. Clinically the abdomen was progressively distended but palpated softly without tenderness.…”