Spontaneous gastric perforation in preterm low birthweight infants. Possible traumatic aetiology. A report of two cases.

Two cases of spontaneous gastric perforation in preterm low birthweight newborn infants are reported. The patients were referred within a short period from the same maternity hospital. They presented with gross abdominal distension of sudden onset. The abdominal X-rays showed typical saddle-bag configuration with massive pneumoperitoneum. The liver and spleen were displaced downwards and towards the midline. The nasogastric tubes used in the resuscitation may have played an important role in causing the perforations.