Perinatology.  2020 Dec;31(4):220-225. 10.14734/PN.2020.31.4.220.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis Associated with Norovirus Infection in a Preterm Infant

• Park HI
• Yoon HS

• KMID: 2510396
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/PN.2020.31.4.220

Abstract

In general, norovirus infection may cause epidemic acute gastroenteritis over all ages and may lead to self-limiting progression with typical clinical symptoms such as non-bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Premature infants diagnosed with norovirus infection have moderate to severe symptoms including a distended abdomen, apnea, hematochezia, and a rare radiologic finding called pneumatosis intestinalis. This infection is occasionally fatal in preterm infants because of their immature immune system and increased intestinal permeability to pathogens. Norovirus may cause severe illness such as hemorrhagic colitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and colon ischemia. Outbreaks of necrotizing entero colitis associated with norovirus infection have been reported in neonatal intensive care units. We report a case of a preterm infant diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis associated with norovirus.

Keyword

Caliciviridae infections; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Premature infant