Air Leak Syndrome: Pneumoperitoneum in a Ventilated Neonate

Abstract

Air leak syndrome has several manifestations and is common in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) due to air trapping. While pneumoperitoneum is classically a result of intestinal perforation, intra-abdominal free air may be a less common presentation of air leak syndrome. In the ventilated neonate, there is insufficient clinical evidence outlining management of pneumoperitoneum in this situation. We report a case of a term neonate with MAS and air leak syndrome who developed benign pneumoperitoneum (BPPT).