Chapter·SurgeryPediatric Surgery

Neonatal surgical emergenciesDownloads

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Sample Questions

1

A 4-week-old infant is brought to the emergency department by his parents with violent vomiting. It started about 3 days ago and has slowly gotten worse. He vomits after most feedings but seems to keep some formula down. His mother notes that he is eager to feed between episodes and seems to be putting on weight. Other than an uncomplicated course of chlamydia conjunctivitis, the infant has been healthy. He was born at 39 weeks gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery. He is up to date on all vaccines and is meeting all developmental milestones. The physical exam is significant for a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant. What is the first-line confirmatory diagnostic test and associated finding?

AAbdominal ultrasound; elongated pyloric channel and muscle hypertrophy

BBarium upper GI series; GE junction and portion of the stomach in thorax

CAir enema; filling defect and coil spring sign

DBarium upper GI series; bird beak sign and corkscrewing

EAbdominal X-ray; ‘double bubble’ sign

2

A four-week-old female is evaluated in the neonatal intensive care unit for feeding intolerance with gastric retention of formula. She was born at 25 weeks gestation to a 32-year-old gravida 1 due to preterm premature rupture of membranes at 24 weeks gestation. The patient’s birth weight was 750 g (1 lb 10 oz). She required resuscitation with mechanical ventilation at the time of delivery, but she was subsequently extubated to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and then weaned to nasal cannula. The patient was initially receiving both parenteral nutrition and enteral feeds through a nasogastric tube, but she is now receiving only continuous nasogastric formula feeds. Her feeds are being advanced to a target weight gain of 20-30 g per day. Her current weight is 1,350 g (2 lb 16 oz). The patient’s temperature is 97.2°F (36.2°C), blood pressure is 72/54 mmHg, pulse is 138/min, respirations are 26/min, and SpO2 is 96% on 4L nasal cannula. On physical exam, the patient appears lethargic. Her abdomen is soft and markedly distended. Digital rectal exam reveals stool streaked with blood in the rectal vault. Which of the following abdominal radiographs would most likely be seen in this patient?

AAir in the biliary tree

BNormal bowel gas pattern

CDilated loops of bowel

DPneumoperitoneum

EPneumatosis intestinalis

3

A 7-month-old boy is brought to the ED by his mother because of abdominal pain. Two weeks ago, she noticed he had a fever and looser stools, but both resolved after a few days. One week ago, he began to experience periodic episodes during which he would curl up into a ball, scream, and cry. The episodes lasted a few minutes, and were occasionally followed by vomiting. Between events, he was completely normal. She says the episodes have become more frequent over time, and this morning, she noticed blood in his diaper. In the ED, his vitals are within normal ranges, and his physical exam is normal. After confirming the diagnosis with an abdominal ultrasound, what is the next step in management?

ASupportive care

BBroad-spectrum antibiotics

CAir contrast enema

DAbdominal laparotomy

EAbdominal CT scan

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