Late-onset pubic-phallic idiopathic edema in premature recovering infants

Abstract

Several cases of isolated localized edema of the genital area in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants within the last 5 years prompted a search for possible explanations and a search of the literature. A retrospective chart review of all cases of localized genital area edema in our 16-bed community level-3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between January 2007 and December 2017. A total of six patients with localized edema of the genital area were found. Among the six cases, five provided descriptions of time of onset. Only one case had a plausible etiology inguinal hernia (IH)]. To our knowledge, this entity is not well described in the literature. Etiologies are speculative. Prolonged observation in the NICU by virtue of ELBW-status suggests that there are no detrimental effects, the condition does not appear to preclude discharge and cautious expectant management and reassurance are therefore in order.Copyright © 2018 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.