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  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
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Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Prenatal rectal perforation: an unsuspected cause of isolated ascites

Journal of Perinatology volume 26, pages 717–719 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

In fetal intestinal perforation, inflammation leads to production of ascites. Small bowel is usually involved by perforation with the distal ileum the most frequent site. We report the first case of prenatal perforation of the intraperitoneal part of the rectum, which presented as severe ascites at a 37 weeks’ gestation antenatal ultrasonography. As none of the reported causes of intestinal perforation were identified in our case, its etiology remained idiopathic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology, Neonatal Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy

    G Casaccia & P Bagolan

  2. Department of fetal medicine, Artemisia Medical Center, Rome, Italy

    C Giorlandino

  3. Radiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Rummo, Benevento, Italy

    O A Catalano

Authors
  1. G Casaccia
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  2. C Giorlandino
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  3. O A Catalano
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  4. P Bagolan
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Correspondence to G Casaccia.

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Casaccia, G., Giorlandino, C., Catalano, O. et al. Prenatal rectal perforation: an unsuspected cause of isolated ascites. J Perinatol 26, 717–719 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211602

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211602

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