Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology  2008;15(1):105-110

Liver Abscess Associated with Maternal Perinatal Infection in a Premature Infant.

Ju Hee LEE 1 ; Bong Ok SEO ; Eun Sun SEO ; Sung Mi KIM ; June Hyoung KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Liver abscess; Preterm newborn

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Neonatal liver abscesses are rare, carry a high mortality rate, and are difficult to diagnose. The diagnosis of liver abscesses in the neonate cannot be established from the clinical presentation alone. Risk factors for liver abscesses in neonates are maternal infection, sepsis, umbilical venous catheterization, omphalitis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. In this report, we describe a preterm infant (32 weeks, 1,580 g) who presented with abdominal distension, respiratory difficulties, and a persistent inflammatory response in spite of broad spectrum antibiotic treatment; a large (6x5 cm) solitary pyogenic liver abscess was identified at 9 days of age. It appeared that the liver abscess had originated in the uterus and umbilical venous catheterization facilitated its spread. Percutaneous drainage under abdominal ultrasound guidance was performed and prolonged antibiotics were treated for 5 weeks, effecting a cure.