[Pneumoperitoneum in a newborn infant after assisted ventilation].

The authors report a case of massive pneumoperitoneum in a newborn who underwent assisted-ventilation for a severe aspiration of meconial amniotic fluid. Clinical and roentgengraphic findings that are helpful in differentiating a pneumoperitoneum of gastrointestinal origin from an extrathoracic air leak are reviewed. In such a situation, laparotomy should be avoided.