Caso contributivo
In caso di dubbio, consulta l'appendice
If in doubt, inspect the appendix
Carmen Campanile, Roberta Russo, Gyusy Ambrosio, Paolo Basilio
Scuola di Specializzazione in Pediatria, Università di Salerno
Novembre 2025 | DOI: 10.53126/MEBXXVIIIN236
Abstract
This article reports the case of a newborn admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for prematurity and perinatal distress. At thirteen days of age, he presented with reduced nutritional intake, vomiting, a globular abdomen, and blood tests revealed increased inflammatory markers and neutrophilic leukocytosis. Given the initial suspicion of necrotizing enterocolitis, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was initiated and feeding was discontinued. Following instrumental investigations, such as abdominal X-rays and ultrasound, neonatal retrocecal appendicitis was diagnosed and the infant underwent surgery. The case highlights the challenging differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in the neonatal period and shows the importance of considering neonatal appendicitis among all diagnostic options, despite its extremely low incidence.
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