A PATHOLOGICAL STUDY ON NEONATAL NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS

Abstract

Eleven cases of so called neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis confirmed by autopsy or biopsy were studied. They were characterized clinically by diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal distension, and shock. Autopsies of 10 cases revealed multiple ulcerations of the small and/or large intestines and their occasional perforation followed by peritonitis. Changes found in other organs were fatty change and cholestasis of the liver, atrophy of the lymph apparati, and generalized congestion. Intestinal change of the remaining one case was confirmed with surgical specimen, the finding of which was the same as above. It is postulated that the main changes observed in this syndrome should result from acute circulatory disturbance of the gastrointestinal system, perhaps occurring during the course of some intestinal infection.