Atypical presentation of acute fulminant neonatal necrotising enterocolitis: Diagnostic superiority of sonographic evaluation over plain radiography of abdomen

Abstract

A female preterm infant was born to a nonconsanguineous couple at 35 weeks of gestation. On day 8 of life, while on full feeds, she developed prolonged apnoea and bradycardia, requiring respiratory support. Her abdomen was soft with unremarkable serial abdominal X-rays. Her septic screen was negative. Metabolic acidosis was worsening despite treatment. Echocardiography showed evidence of high pulmonary pressures. With further deterioration, an ultrasound scan of the abdomen was requested in view of the rising suspicion of abdominal pathology in the absence of sepsis and metabolic disorders. Mural oedema, pneumatosis and portal venous gas, consistent with diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis, were noted in the ultrasound images. An emergency laparotomy showed extensive small bowel necrosis. Despite maximal medical support, the infant died. This case highlights the importance of imaging using an ultrasound scanner in the diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants having intractable metabolic acidosis, subtle abdominal signs and unremarkable abdominal X-rays.