Intestinal volvulus in premature babies

Volvulus with or without malrotation are infrequent in the extremely premat ure newbom. Case reports. - Intestinal volvulus in seven premature newborns are reporte d with abdominal distention, bright and tense skin without visible bowel lo ops and spiraled bowel loops on the abdominal X-ray. Intestinal resection w as avoided due to early diagnosis. We identified abdominal wall massages as a risk factor, because no new cases have occurred since interdiction of th ese practices. Conclusions. - Symptoms and radiologic findings are relatively specific for excluding the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature newborns . Abdominal nursing could be the incriminating factor. (C) 2001 Editions sc ientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.