ObjectiveBariatric surgery results in decreased food intake and a variable degree of malabsorption. Without adequate supplementation, the most common complications of this surgery are nutritional disorders. Pregnancy following surgery for obesity is a particular condition requiring strict monitoring of nutrient intake necessary for fetal development and a favourable neonatal prognosis.PatientsMalnutrition in pregnancy and congenital neural malformations are reported in three women who had previously undergone bariatric surgery (1, 5 and 18 years before pregnancy, respectively). Two patients underwent the Roux en Y bypass and one bilio-pancreatic diversion with gastroplasty. None of the three received pre-conceptional nutritional counselling. Patients 1 and 2 did not undergo postoperative nutritional surveillance; nutrient supplementation was started at 22 and 20 weeks gestation, respectively. In patient 3, supplementation was stopped at six weeks gestation.ResultsNewborns 1 and 2 presented with dorsal myelomeningocele and ventricular dilation. Both underwent surgery and a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was inserted in the first month of life. Newborn 3 had microcephaly, bilateral microphthalmia and sensorineural deafness.ConclusionsDiet and nutritional status, before and during pregnancy, play an important role in the early processes of fetal development and neonatal outcome. Women of childbearing age who have had bariatric surgery, should be encouraged to follow a well-balanced diet as part of a weight management strategy. They should be advised to take recommended maternal supplements.

BackgroundWe determined the range of normal spleen dimensions evaluated by ultrasonography (US) in children according to sex and age and the relationship between splenic measurements, auxological data and body proportions, in order to define splenomegaly parameters in support of the surgical mini-invasive approaches in pediatrics.MethodsWe prospectively examined 317 caucasian children of both sexes. The patients were divided into three groups: 0–3 years; 4–10 years; 11–18 years. Sex, weight, height/length, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and xipho-pubic distance were determined for each child. US spleen evaluation included longitudinal/antero-posterior/transverse diameters, transverse area and volume. Spleen volume/abdominal volume, longitudinal spleen diameter/longitudinal left kidney diameter and longitudinal spleen diameter/xipho-pubic distance ratios were also calculated.ResultsFor caucasian subjects, in different age groups spleen volume, transverse area and diameter increased while the spleen/abdominal volume ratio decreased significantly (p<0.001). A significant (p<0.001) decrease in longitudinal spleen diameter/xipho-pubic distance ratio was noted between the 0–3 years group and both 4–10 and 11–18 years group. Age and auxological data, except BMI, showed a high correlation with spleen dimension (r≥0.8).ConclusionsThe current concept of splenomegaly is not applicable in pediatric surgery. A dedicated classification of splenomegaly is needed for children and would improve the safety and feasibility of treatment.

No abstract

IntroductionNorovirus infection with necrotizing enterocolitis has so far been reported as a specific tropism of the small bowel in premature newborns.Case presentationThree cases of premature newborns presenting with extensive isolated colonic ischemia due to norovirus infection are reported.Patient 1 was a Caucasian girl with a gestational age of 29+2 weeks. She had sudden onset of abdominal distension on the 30th day of life. Radiological signs of colonic pneumatosis were present 48 hours before perforation and stool analysis was positive for norovirus. On the 34th day, free air was detected on plain abdominal X-ray. At laparotomy, stenosis, necrosis and perforations involved the whole colon. The patient underwent ileostomy. A large colon resection and ileosigmoid anastomosis were done 3 months later.Patient 2 was a Caucasian boy with a gestational age of 28+3 weeks. On the 19th day, bloody stools with abdominal distension appeared. Stool analysis resulted positive for norovirus. A plain abdominal X‐ray showed distended bowel loops. Antibiotic treatment was started. On the 32nd day due to the progressive deterioration of clinical conditions and the appearance of colic pneumatosis, a laparotomy was performed. Severe damage of the transverse colon and multiple areas of necrosis were found. Terminal ileostomy was performed. Six months later surgery consisted of mid-transverse colon resection as far as the splenic flexure, colocolic anastomosis and closure of ileostomy.Patient 3 was a Caucasian boy with a gestational age of 30 weeks. On the 44th day bloody-mucous stools appeared and stool analysis was positive for norovirus infection. Even with institution of antibiotic therapy clinical abdominal radiologic signs of colonic pneumatosis of the upper right quadrant were found. At the 70th day an explorative laparotomy showed dilated bowel loops and stenotic right colon and ileostomy was mandatory. Partial colectomy was later necessary and ileocolic anastomosis was performed.ConclusionWe hypothesize that norovirus infection may be responsible for severe, distinctive colonic lesions, even in premature newborn infants.

The use of 5-mm instruments was advantageous in renal and pelvic sites. The benefits in upper abdominal surgery need further evaluation, particularly in patients weighing <10 kg. Smaller sized instruments with high endowrist dexterity would resolve the problems encountered in paediatric robotic-assisted surgery using 5-mm instruments.

No abstract

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign soft tissue tumor encountered almost exclusively in infancy and early childhood. The location of tumors varies, but most occur in the extremities, trunk, head and neck. Less frequently, lipoblastomas have been reported in the mediastinum, the retroperitoneum and the inguinal region. Only 7 cases of lipoblastoma in the scrotum have been reported so far in the English literature, with none of the patients older than 8. We report an intrascrotal lipoblastoma in a 10 year-old boy. The differential diagnosis is discussed with reference to the literature.

Insufficiency in mesenteric flow is a risk factor for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Recurrent episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can lead to gut ischemia, with subsequent reperfusion injury. We present a term infant who developed NEC at 37 days of life after refractory SVT and reverted to sinus rhythm on day 23 and 25 of life. Resected stenotic ileum and transverse colon demonstrated inflammation with ischemia. This is the first case of NEC following SVT in a term infant without a congenital morphologic abnormality. In view of the temporal sequence of events, and in the absence of other risk factors for NEC, the SVT and NEC were likely causally related.