Small-Bowel Perforation in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates Treated with High-Dose Dexamethasone

Abstract

isolated intestinal perforation may be a complication of the preventive treatment of chronic lung disease with high-dose corticosteroids in very low birth weight infants. Conversely, corticosteroids may reduce the clinical signs and the multiple organ dysfunction associated with an abdominal drama, explaining the very good surgical prognosis of these newborns. Attention must be paid to an insidious pneumoperitoneum.