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Previous Volume 354:2275-2276 May 25, 2006 Number 21 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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The occurrence of intestinal perforation is a catastrophic event at any age. Its occurrence in a very-low-birth-weight infant with necrotizing enterocolitis, however, is particularly hazardous. Unfortunately, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis increases with decreasing birth weight.¹ Although necrotizing enterocolitis has many causes, the common pathway leading to intestinal necrosis and perforation is thought to be intestinal ischemia and the invasion of bacteria through an immature mucosal barrier.² The resulting perforation, peritonitis, and systemic sepsis occurring in an infant whose health is already tenuous carry a high risk of death and demand prompt intervention.

The standard surgical procedure in such cases . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Source Information

From the Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Henry, M. C. W., Moss, R. L. (2006). Laparotomy Versus Peritoneal Drainage for Perforated Necrotizing Enterocolitis. NeoReviews 7: e456-e462 [Full Text]  
• (2006). Management of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Revisited. JWatch Infect. Diseases 2006: 9-9 [Full Text]