J Korean Soc Neonatol.  2008 Nov;15(2):196-199.

Neonatal Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction Associated with Deficiency of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal in a Premature Infant

• Lee SJ
• Lee WR

Abstract

The interstitial cells of Cajal are the pacemakers in the gastrointestinal tract that modulate gastrointestinal motility. A case of a neonate with intestinal pseudo-obstruction caused by a decreased number of the interstitial cells of Cajal is presented. A premature male infant born at 32 weeks of gestation showed progressive abdominal distention beginning 3 days after initiation of enteral feeding at 15 days of life. No etiologic factors were identified on radiologic studies, a gastrographin enema, and an intestinal biopsy other than a markedly decreased number of the intestinal cells of Cajal. An ileostomy, followed by repair of the ileostomy was done, which resulted in but a limited improvement of the abdominal gas pattern. Respiratory distress, pancytopenia, and abdominal distention persisted, and the infant expired on 142 days of life.

Keyword

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Interstitial cells of Cajal; Premature infant

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Diatrizoate Meglumine
Enema
Enteral Nutrition
Gastrointestinal Motility
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Ileostomy
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Interstitial Cells of Cajal
Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
Male
Pancytopenia
Pregnancy
Diatrizoate Meglumine