Idiopathic gastric perforation in newborns

Neonatal gastric perforation is a rare and serious condition. It constitutes a neonatal surgical emergency. These facts prompted us to review the observations of NN operated on for gastric perforation in the paediatric surgery department of the Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir from 1990 to 2019.Fifteen observations were described, with a predominance of females. The risk factors are prematurity, hypotrophy, the occurrence of foetal or perinatal distress and maternal or obstetric anomalies.PG is suspected in all newborns presenting with abdominal distension, whether or not associated with respiratory distress.A standing PSA shows pneumoperitoneum. Treatment is essentially surgical.Several aetiopathogenic hypotheses have been put forward: gastric ischaemia, muscle defect, gastric distension and Cajal cell deficiency.The prognosis for this condition remains poor, with a high mortality rate. Pre- and postoperative neonatal resuscitation plays a key role in the management of this condition.