A Rare Case of Oligodendroglioma in Sacrococcygeal Mature Teratoma Diagnosed in Preterm Infant

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common congenital tumor in neonates, and is reported in approximately 1/35,000 to 1/40,000 live births. Oligodendroglioma is a rare central nervous system tumor that is usually found in the cerebral hemisphere of young and middle aged adults. When associated with a teratoma, it is mainly identified in ovarian teratoma in adolescents and adults. We describe a rare case of a preterm infant with oligodendroglioma in a mature sacrococcygeal teratoma. The male neonate was born at a gestational age of 30 weeks with a protruding mass in the sacrococcygeal region. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a sacrococcygeal teratoma of approximately 11 cm comprising fat components and skeletal structure, that extended from the anterior part of the sacrum to the abdominal cavity. Radical resection was performed at 36 days of age. Macroscopically, the resected intra-abdominal mass had the characteristics of a cystic lesion, and the intrapelvic mass was a predominantly solid mixed cystic-solid lesion. Histologically, this solid lesion in the intrapelvic mass was composed of mature glial tissue, which comprised as a proliferation of monotonous cells with small and round nuclei, surrounded by a perinuclear halo (“fried egg” appearance). Additionally, these cells were immunohistochemically positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma in sacrococcygeal mature teratoma. After the treatment, no recurrence was observed during the follow-up period, and no additional intervention was required. However, the patient is undergoing treatment for voiding dysfunction caused by a neurogenic bladder.

Perinatal Prognostic Factors for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Korean Single-Center Study

Purpose@#This study aimed to identify prognostic factors based on treatment outcomes for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) at a single-center and to identify factors that may improve these outcomes. @*Methods@#Thirty-five neonates diagnosed with CDH between January 2011 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Pre- and postnatal factors were correlated and analyzed with postnatal clinical outcomes to determine the prognostic factors. Highest oxygenation index (OI) within 24 hours of birth was also calculated. Treatment strategy and outcome analysis of published literatures were also performed. @*Results@#Overall survival rate of this cohort was 60%. Four patients were unable to undergo anesthesia and/or surgery. Three patients who commenced extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) post-surgery were non-survivors. Compared to the survivor group, the non-survivor group had a significantly higher occurrence of pneumothorax on the first day, need for high-frequency ventilator and inhaled nitric oxide use, and high OI within the first 24 hours. The non-survivor group showed an early trend towards the surgery timing and a greater number of patch closures. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.878 with a sensitivity of 76.2% and specificity of 92.9% at an OI cutoff value of 7.75. @*Conclusion@#OI within 24 hours is a valuable predictor of survival. It is expected that the application of ECMO based on OI monitoring may help improve the opportunity for surgical repair, as well as the prognosis of CDH patients.

Assessment of defecation function beyond infantile period for transanal single-stage endorectal pull-through in Hirschsprung disease

Purpose@#Transanal single-stage endorectal pull-through (TERPT) procedure for patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) has favorable outcomes, with a lower complication rate. Nevertheless, various degrees of bowel dysfunction and fecal incontinence can persist for a long time in some patients. The aim of this study was to assess the mid- and long-term outcomes of TERPT performed during the infantile period after the completion of toilet training. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed 82 patients aged ≥4 years who underwent TERPT during the infantile period after the pathological diagnosis of HD between 2001 and 2013. Functional outcomes were investigated according to the answers of the Bowel Function Score (BFS) questionnaire, a previously validated 7-item questionnaire about bowel habits. Normal values were obtained in a previous study on BFS for children in Western countries, and a one-sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. @*Results@#Overall, BFS was similar in all investigated age groups. On comparing fecal soiling and social problems between the HD and normal populations, a lower score at an early age in patients with HD was noted; however, the scores became similar when the patients were 7 years of age. Stool frequency decreased continuously but was not significantly different between the 2 groups. @*Conclusion@#The functional outcomes of TERPT performed during the infantile period, after completing toilet training, were similar to that of the normal population. In most cases, uncomfortable symptoms were diminished and functions improved with age.

Correlation between Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) during Pregnancy and Congenital Anomalies: Its Surgical Perspectives

Background@#Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can easily penetrate blood vessels and tissues through the human respiratory tract and cause various health problems. Some studies reported that particular matter (PM) exposure during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight or congenital cardiovascular anomalies. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the degree of exposure to PM ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) during pregnancy and congenital anomalies relevant to the field of pediatric surgery. @*Methods@#Mother-infant dyads with registered addresses in the Metropolitan City were selected during 3 years. The electronic medical records of mothers and neonates were retrospectively analyzed, with a focus on maternal age at delivery, date of delivery, gestation week, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension, parity, the residence of the mother and infant, infant sex, birth weight, Apgar score, and presence of congenital anomaly. The monthly PM2.5 concentration from the first month of pregnancy to the delivery was computed based on the mothers' residences. @*Results@#PM2.5 exposure concentration in the second trimester was higher in the congenital anomaly group than in the non-congenital anomaly group (24.82 ± 4.78 µg/m3, P = 0.023). PM2.5 exposure concentration did not affect the incidence of nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal anomalies. While statistically insignificant, the groups with nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and other congenital anomalies were exposed to higher PM2.5 concentrations in the first trimester compared with their respective counterparts. The effect of PM2.5 concentration on the incidence of congenital anomalies was significant even after adjusting for the mother's age, presence of DM, hypertension, and parity. The incidence of congenital anomalies increased by 26.0% (95% confidence interval of 4.3% and 49.2%) per 7.23 µg/m3 elevation of PM2.5 interquartile range in the second trimester. @*Conclusions@#The congenital anomaly group was exposed to a higher PM2.5 concentration in the second trimester than the non-congenital anomaly group. The PM2.5 exposure concentration level in the first trimester tended to be higher in groups with anomalies than those without anomalies. This suggests that continuous exposure to a high PM2.5 concentration during pregnancy influences the incidence of neonatal anomalies in surgical respects.

Successful Laparoscopic Removal of a Huge Trichobeozar in Cases of Rapunzel Syndrome in Children

Rapunzel syndrome is a very rare condition. The trichobezoar, in cases of Rapunzel syndrome, extend from the stomach into the duodenum and small bowel. Trichobezoars are usually encountered in young women with psychiatric problems, such as trichotillomania, trichophagia, or mental retardation and pica. Large trichobezoars, which are associated with Rapunzel syndrome, are removed during open surgery which requires large incisions. This Case Report describes 2 girls who had Rapunzel syndrome where the trichobezoars reached the jejunum and laparoscopic surgery was successful in the removal of the trichobezoars. Laparoscopic removal of a trichobezoar can be considered as a treatment option for children with Rapunzel syndrome.

Correlation between Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) during Pregnancy and Congenital Anomalies: Its Surgical Perspectives

Background@#Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can easily penetrate blood vessels and tissues through the human respiratory tract and cause various health problems. Some studies reported that particular matter (PM) exposure during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight or congenital cardiovascular anomalies. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the degree of exposure to PM ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) during pregnancy and congenital anomalies relevant to the field of pediatric surgery. @*Methods@#Mother-infant dyads with registered addresses in the Metropolitan City were selected during 3 years. The electronic medical records of mothers and neonates were retrospectively analyzed, with a focus on maternal age at delivery, date of delivery, gestation week, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension, parity, the residence of the mother and infant, infant sex, birth weight, Apgar score, and presence of congenital anomaly. The monthly PM2.5 concentration from the first month of pregnancy to the delivery was computed based on the mothers' residences. @*Results@#PM2.5 exposure concentration in the second trimester was higher in the congenital anomaly group than in the non-congenital anomaly group (24.82 ± 4.78 µg/m3, P = 0.023). PM2.5 exposure concentration did not affect the incidence of nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal anomalies. While statistically insignificant, the groups with nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and other congenital anomalies were exposed to higher PM2.5 concentrations in the first trimester compared with their respective counterparts. The effect of PM2.5 concentration on the incidence of congenital anomalies was significant even after adjusting for the mother's age, presence of DM, hypertension, and parity. The incidence of congenital anomalies increased by 26.0% (95% confidence interval of 4.3% and 49.2%) per 7.23 µg/m3 elevation of PM2.5 interquartile range in the second trimester. @*Conclusions@#The congenital anomaly group was exposed to a higher PM2.5 concentration in the second trimester than the non-congenital anomaly group. The PM2.5 exposure concentration level in the first trimester tended to be higher in groups with anomalies than those without anomalies. This suggests that continuous exposure to a high PM2.5 concentration during pregnancy influences the incidence of neonatal anomalies in surgical respects.

Successful Laparoscopic Removal of a Huge Trichobeozar in Cases of Rapunzel Syndrome in Children

Rapunzel syndrome is a very rare condition. The trichobezoar, in cases of Rapunzel syndrome, extend from the stomach into the duodenum and small bowel. Trichobezoars are usually encountered in young women with psychiatric problems, such as trichotillomania, trichophagia, or mental retardation and pica. Large trichobezoars, which are associated with Rapunzel syndrome, are removed during open surgery which requires large incisions. This Case Report describes 2 girls who had Rapunzel syndrome where the trichobezoars reached the jejunum and laparoscopic surgery was successful in the removal of the trichobezoars. Laparoscopic removal of a trichobezoar can be considered as a treatment option for children with Rapunzel syndrome.

Changes in the prevalence of index diseases in pediatric surgery: case analysis of single national children’s hospital

Pusan National University Children’s Hospital (PNUCH) opened in November 2008 as the second National Children’s Hospital in Korea and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018. In the last decade, birth rates and pediatric populations have been declining sharply and has been more serious in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do where the PNUCH is located, affecting the prevalence of index diseases. The number of the index diseases was investigated by year according to changes in the population. Patients who underwent surgery at PNUCH for 10 years were included. Changes in pediatric population and the number of live births were analyzed using the data from Statistics Korea. The number of the index diseases was analyzed retrospectively through the review of electronic medical records. Statistical analysis was performed through Poisson regression. The number of live births and pediatric population decreased from 69,528 to 48,600 (30.1%) and 1,880,284 to 1,444,961 (23.2%), respectively. Operations of pediatric surgery decreased by 32.3% compared to that during the peak season, but the prevalence rate ratio of the pediatric population increased to 1.03 (P<0.001). The number of emergency operation increased due to the largest surge in acute appendicitis operations. Both esophageal atresia and Hirschsprung disease decreased, while hypertrophic pyloric stenosis significantly increased. The absolute number of pediatric surgery cases decreased. However, considering the changes in pediatric population and the number of live births, the relative number of pediatric surgery cases does not changed. The decrease in the number of each disease would be related to the decrease in pediatric population and the number of live births. We should consider the increase of emergency operations such as acute appendicitis.

Alimentary Tract Duplication in Pediatric Patients: Its Distinct Clinical Features and Managements / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#Alimentary tract duplication (ATD) is a rare congenital condition that may occur throughout the intestinal tract. Clinical symptoms are generally related to the involved site, size of duplication, or associated ectopic mucosa. This study aimed to identify clinical implications by anatomical locations and age group and then suggest a relevant management according to its distinct features. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of pediatric patients who received a surgical management due to ATD. Furthermore, data including patients' demographics, anatomical distribution of the duplication, clinical features according to anatomical variants, and outcomes were compared. @*Results@#A total of 25 patients were included in this study. ATD developed most commonly in the midgut, especially at the ileocecal region. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal pain, a sign resulting from intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intussusception. The non-communicating cystic type was the most common pathological feature in all age groups. Clinically, prenatal detection was relatively low; however, it usually manifested before the infantile period. A laparoscopic procedure was performed in most cases (18/25, 72.0%), significantly in the midgut lesion (p=0.012). @*Conclusion@#ATD occurs most commonly at the ileocecal region, and a symptomatic one may usually be detected before the early childhood period. Surgical management should be considered whether symptom or not regarding its symptomatic progression, and a minimal invasive procedure is the preferred method, especially for the midgut lesion.

Perforated Choledochal Cyst: Its Clinical Implications in Pediatric Patient / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#Perforation of choledochal cyst (CC) is a relatively rare clinical presentation in pediatric populations and difficult to predict preoperatively. We assess the clinical implications by comparing clinical parameters based on a single-center experience between perforated and nonperforated CC to facilitate the appropriate management for future interventions. @*Methods@#A total of 92 cases of CC in pediatric patients (aged <18 years) who received surgical management between January 2003 and December 2018 at a Pusan National University Children's Hospital were reviewed. After screening the clinical features of perforated cases, we compared the demographic findings, clinical characteristics, and some laboratory results between the perforated and nonperforated groups. @*Results@#Perforated CC was identified in 8 patients (8.7%), and nonperforated CC in 84 patients (91.3%). Perforation can be classified into three categories: free perforation of cyst (3 cases), pinpoint perforation of cyst (2 cases), and necrotic change of cyst (3 cases). CC perforation occurred significantly more commonly in patients aged <24 months. Clinically, the perforated group showed significantly higher frequency of fever and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level during the initial visit. @*Conclusion@#Perforation is more likely to be suspected in patients aged <24 months presenting together with fever and high CRP level in the initial visit. It is also necessary to keep in mind that it indicates not only a possibility of complicated disease status regardless of its association with stones but also a difficulty of applying a minimal invasive procedure and relatively increased length of hospital stay.

Two cases of splenic infarction due to torsion of wandering spleen requiring laparoscopic splenectomy in adolescent girls

Wandering spleen is a rare condition in which the spleen is not found in its usual location or presentation. Its vascular pedicle can be twisted easily, and compromised vasculature of spleen. Consequently, it may result in splenic infarction requiring diagnosis and treatment. Here we present 2 cases of splenic infarction due to torsion of wandering spleen in 2 adolescent girls who visited the emergency department presenting with abdominal pain. Prompt computed tomography scan led early diagnosis and successful laparoscopic splenectomy. We also reviewed the literature on this entity briefly.

Multicenter Adherence Study of Asthma Medication for Children in Korea

PURPOSE: Adherence is a major component of successful medical treatment. However, non-adherence remains a barrier to effective delivery of healthcare worldwide. METHODS: Twenty healthcare facilities (secondary or tertiary hospitals) belonging to the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases (KAPARD) participated. Questionnaires were given to patients currently receiving treatment in the form of inhalant useor oral intake or transdermal patch for mild to moderate asthma. RESULTS: A total of 1,838 patients responded to the questionnaire. Mean age was 5.98 ± 3.79 years (range: 0-18 years). With help from their caregivers, the percentage of patients that answered “taking as prescribed” was 38.04% for inhalant users, 50.09% for oral medication users and 67.42% for transdermal users. Transdermal patch users had significantly greater adherence compared to the other 2 groups (P < 0.001). The 34.15% of inhalant users, 70.33% of oral medication users and 93.00% of transdermal patch users felt that their medication delivery system was “Easy” or “Very easy” to use (P < 0.001). “Method of administration” was deemed to be the most difficult part of the treatment regimen to follow, and 76.7% of patients preferred once-daily administration (i.e., “Frequency of administration”). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma medication adherence in young children was found to be better in the transdermal patch group. This may be due to requiring fewer doses and easy to follow instructions. From an adherence point of view, the transdermal patch seems more useful for long-term asthma control in children compared to oral or inhaled medicine.

Clinical Implication of Surgically treated Abdominoperineal Soild Tumor in the Newborn : A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE: Abdominoperineal solid tumors presenting in neonates often require surgical intervention during the neonatal period. Although we report our single-center experience, this study would be meaningful to understand the clinical implications of these neoplasms. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the clinical data and characteristics of 22 patients (≤28 days old) diagnosed with histopathologically confirmed abdominoperineal solid neoplasms (benign or malignant) after surgical resection. RESULTS: The mean gestational age and postnatal age at the time of operation were 38.3±1.8 weeks and 13.5±8.3 days, respectively. Most patients (18/22, 81.8%) were diagnosed during antenatal care visits; however, 4 (18.2%) were identified after birth. The mean tumor size was 6.4×5.3 cm (3.5–17.0 cm), and tumors occurred most frequently within the sacrococcygeal region (8/22, 36.4%). Histopathologically, 14 patients (63.6%) demonstrated benign tumors and 8 (36.4%) demonstrated malignant tumors. Germ cell tumors and hepatoblastomas were the most commonly observed tumors. Fortunately, all patients showed a localized pattern of tumor involvement without distant metastasis. No recurrence or mortality was observed during the follow-up period (mean 66.4±44.2 months). CONCLUSION: Abdominoperineal solid tumors occurring in neonates show variable clinical patterns during the antenatal and postnatal monitoring/screening periods. We conclude that aggressive and multidisciplinary approaches could achieve good clinical results in these patients.

Esophageal Reconstruction with Gastric Pull-up in a Premature Infant with Type B Esophageal Atresia

Esophageal atresia (EA) with proximal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF; gross type B) is a rare defect. Although most patients have long-gap EA, there are still no established surgical guidelines. A premature male infant with symmetric intrauterine growth retardation (birth weight, 1,616 g) was born at 35 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The initial diagnosis was pure EA (gross type A) based on failure to pass an orogastric tube and the absence of stomach gas. A “feed and grow” approach was implemented, with gastrostomy performed on postnatal day 2. A fistula was detected during bronchoscopy for recurrent pneumonia; thus, we confirmed type B EA and performed TEF excision and cervical end esophagostomy. As the infant's stomach volume was insufficient for bolus feeding after reaching a body weight of 2.5 kg, continuous tube feeding was provided through a gastrojejunal tube. On the basis of these findings, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up was performed on postnatal day 141 (infant weight, 4.7 kg), and he was discharged 21 days postoperatively. At 12 months after birth, there was no catch-up growth; however, he is currently receiving a baby food diet without any complications. In patients with EA, bronchoscopy is useful for confirming TEF, whereas for those with long-gap EA with a small stomach volume, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up after continuous feeding through a gastrojejunal tube is worth considering.

Internal Hernia through a Defect in the Broad Ligament of Uterus: Laparoscopic Management Using a Self-Anchoring Barbed Suture

The occurrence of internal hernia through a defect in the broad ligament is a very rare condition, which may cause small bowel obstruction. This is a case of a 50-year-old woman who developed intestinal obstruction induced by internal hernia and who had undergone laparoscopic myomectomy 7 years prior to visiting our emergency room. Abdominopelvic computed tomography showed luminal narrowing of the ileum and dilatation of the pelvic loop of the small bowel at the left side of the uterus. We detected internal hernia through the defect in the broad ligament and managed it successfully by performing a laparoscopic procedure using a barbed suture, V-Loc (Covidien, Mansfield, MA).

Clinical implication of spontaneous gastrointestinal perforation in pediatric patients: its difference according to age group

PURPOSE: Spontaneous gastrointestinal perforations (SGIPs; not associated with injury or disease) occur rarely in pediatric patients. This study aimed to define age-specific features associated with SGIPs in pediatric patients. METHODS: Retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of children (before adolescence) who received surgery due to a SGIP at a single institution. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled. Characteristics were compared between the 2 age groups: neonates (group A) and beyond neonates (group B). RESULTS: Group A included 24 patients (61.5%) an group B included 15 patients (38.5%). Thirteen perforations occurred in the stomach (33.3%), 12 in the small intestine (30.8%), and 14 in the large intestine (35.9%). A significantly higher proportion of perforations occurred in the stomach and small intestine in group A, while more perforations occurred in the large intestine in group B (P = 0.01). Several associated conditions during the preoperative period were identified in both groups. The overall mortality rate was 15.4% (6 of 39). Mortality was relatively high in group A (5 of 24, 20.8%) and for perforations of stomach (3 of 13, 23.1%) and small intestine (3 of 12, 25.0%); however, there were no significant differences with regard to age or perforation site (P = 0.244, P = 0.122, respectively). CONCLUSION: SGIPs in pediatric patients had diverse clinical features and different perforation patterns according to age group. However, no significant group differences in mortality were found. Thus, favorable results regardless of age can be expected with prompt recognition, medical resuscitation, and adequate surgical management.

Does this baby have a tail?: a case of congenital isolated perineal lipoma presenting as human pseudo-tail

A pseudo-tail is defined as a tail-like lesion in the lumbosacrococcygeal region that is not a true tail but one caused by disease. Perineal lipoma is one of the conditions that may present as a pseudo-tail. Congenital perineal lipoma is a rare disease and in particular, isolated congenital perineal lipoma without other anomalies is extremely rare. Here we report a case of congenital isolated perineal lipoma presenting as a pseudo-tail and also include a literature review of the condition.

Spontaneous Perforation of Colon in Previously Healthy Infants and Children: Its Clinical Implication / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Spontaneous colon perforations are usually encountered as necrotizing enterocolitis in the neonatal period, but occur rarely in infants and children without pathological conditions. This study was conducted to describe its clinical implication beyond the neonatal period. METHODS: Cases of spontaneous colon perforation confirmed after the operation were reviewed retrospectively and the clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Clinical data were compared according to the presence of pneumoperitoneum as initial findings. RESULTS: Eleven patients were included in the study period and showed a history of hospitalization before transfer due to management for fever, respiratory or gastrointestinal problems. Six patients showed a sudden onset of abdominal distention and only seven patients showed a pneumoperitoneum as initial radiologic findings, however there were no significant clinicopathological differences. Perforation was found evenly in all segments of the colon, most commonly at the sigmoid colon in four cases. There were no specific pathologic or serologic causes of perforation. CONCLUSION: When previously healthy infants and children manifest a sustained fever with a sudden onset of abdominal distention during management for fever associated with respiratory or gastrointestinal problems, there is a great likelihood of colon perforation with no pathological condition. Prompt surgical management as timely decision-making is necessary in order to achieve a good progress.

Meconium-related ileus in very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants: immediate and one-year postoperative outcomes

PURPOSE: One of the major causes of bowel obstruction in extremely premature infants is a meconium obstruction. However, there are many challenges not only in the recognition and diagnosis, but also in the management of meconium obstruction. This study aimed to find perioperative clinical features and determine the postoperative course of meconium-related ileus in very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of premature infants (n = 11, VLBW infnats; n = 16, ELBW infants) with a meconium-related ileus who underwent operation for intractable ileus between January 2009 and May 2013. RESULTS: The average duration of conservative management was longer and postnatal age was older in ELBW infants than VLBW infants: 19.9 days vs. 11.5 days and 34.9 days vs. 19.2 days. The immediate postoperative course (day that beginning feeding and full feeding) was not significantly different based on birth weight, but the ELBW infants had slightly higher mortality. At 12 months of corrected age after operation, both average body weight and average height was below 10th percentile for growth in most infants (61.1%). CONCLUSION: There was a slightly high mortality in the ELBW infants, but two groups did not experience significant differences in the immediate postoperative course of meconium-related ileus. Nevertheless, considering their growth patterns, it is necessary to do a close follow-up and more aggressive nutritional management to achieve optimal growth and development in both patient groups.

Gastric Perforation in the Neonatal Period: Differences between Preterm and Term Infants

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the differences in gastric perforation in the neonatal period between preterm and term infants. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of neonates who underwent abdominal surgery between January 2005 and December 2014 at a single institution. Eleven neonates who were managed for gastric perforation were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: There were 8 preterm and 3 term neonates. In preterm neonates, the mean gestational age and birth weight were 29.7+/-3.7 weeks and 1,538.7+/-774.9 g, respectively. Two preterm neonates had very low birth weight and three had extremely low birth weight. In most of the preterm neonates, possible contributing factors were identified, such as maternal problems, mechanical ventilator support, and medication. In contrast, in term neonates, gastric perforation seemed to be associated with other gastrointestinal anomalies or occurred spontaneously. Two neonates died: one preterm (12.5%) and one term (33.3%) neonate; both had a linear, necrotic perforation. CONCLUSION: Gastric perforation rarely occurred in the neonatal period. Contributing factors for gastric perforation were identified in preterm neonates, but this occurred spontaneously or with other gastrointestinal anomalies in term neonates. A linear, necrotic perforation was associated with poor outcomes, regardless of gestational age.