Splenic rupture in a premature neonate

JY Ting, BCC Lam, CSW Ngai, WC Leung, KL Chan
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong


Splenic injuries are very rare in neonates. We report a case of splenic injury in a premature neonate, highlighting the importance of a high-index suspicion in early recognition of this rare but potentially fatal intra-abdominal injury. We also review the literature on possible aetiologies and mechanism of splenic injury, as well as its management. This is the first reported case of a very low-birth-weight neonate with splenic rupture who survived with intact neurology.

Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:68-70

Key words: Hemoperitoneum; Infant, premature; Infant, very low birth weight; Splenic rupture