NEONATAL LIVER-ABSCESS FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL-SURGERY FOR NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS

Neonatal liver abscess may stem from seeding of micro-organisms as par t of a bacteremic process or from the portal vein, umbilical vein, or perivenous lymphatics. Liver abscess associated with neonatal necrotiz ing enterocolitis (NEC) has rarely been documented. We describe a case of a term neonate who developed NEC with intestinal perforation, requ iring gut resection. This was followed by the formation of a liver abs cess that eventually needed open drainage. It is believed that the cau sative organism (Escherichia coli) had disseminated to the liver via t he portal vein from the necrotic bowel or during surgery.