Neonatal Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction Associated with Deficiency of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal in a Premature Infant.
- Author:
Soo Jung LEE
1
;
Woo Ryoung LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Seoul, Korea. neolee@hosp.sch.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction;
Interstitial cells of Cajal;
Premature infant
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Diatrizoate Meglumine;
Enema;
Enteral Nutrition;
Gastrointestinal Motility;
Gastrointestinal Tract;
Humans;
Ileostomy;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Infant, Premature;
Interstitial Cells of Cajal;
Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction;
Male;
Pancytopenia;
Pregnancy
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology
2008;15(2):196-199
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The interstitial cells of Cajal are the pacemakers in the gastrointestinal tract that modulate gastrointestinal motility. A case of a neonate with intestinal pseudo-obstruction caused by a decreased number of the interstitial cells of Cajal is presented. A premature male infant born at 32 weeks of gestation showed progressive abdominal distention beginning 3 days after initiation of enteral feeding at 15 days of life. No etiologic factors were identified on radiologic studies, a gastrographin enema, and an intestinal biopsy other than a markedly decreased number of the intestinal cells of Cajal. An ileostomy, followed by repair of the ileostomy was done, which resulted in but a limited improvement of the abdominal gas pattern. Respiratory distress, pancytopenia, and abdominal distention persisted, and the infant expired on 142 days of life.
