Two Survival Cases of Ruptured Spleen in Infants

Abstract

Two survival neonate of ruptured spleen are reported. Both infants were admitted because of abdominal disten-sion and severe anemia. Emergency laparotomy disclosed splenic rupture and splenectomy was performed. Forty-one percent of splenic rupture occurred within 24 hours after birth. Special care must be taken however, because symptoms may not develop untill several days after birth. Although splenectomized infants are susceptible to serious infection, splenectomy was judged to be the most reliable procedure to stop bleeding from the ruptured spleen. No prophylactic antibiotics was administered postoperatively and no serious infection has since been observed.