Delayed maturation of the interstitial cells of Cajal: A new diagnosis for transient neonatal pseudoobstruction. Report of two cases

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 94 - 98
• Main Authors: Kenny, S.E, Vanderwinden, J.M, Rintala, R.J, Connell, M.G, Lloyd, D.A, Vanderhaegen, J.J, De Laet, M.H
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Colon - pathology; Digestive system; Female; Gastrointestinal Motility - physiology; Humans; Ileostomy; Ileum - pathology; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - diagnosis; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - etiology; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - therapy; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Muscle, Smooth - pathology; Parenteral Nutrition, Total; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Stem Cell Factor - metabolism; Neonate; immunohistochemistry; interstitial cells of Cajal; intestinal pseudoobstruction; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Pseudoobstruction; Neonatal; Radiodiagnosis; Gut; Case study; Radiography; Pathology; Interstitial cell; Newborn; Etiology; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3468(98)90370-0

The case histories of two neonates presenting with intestinal pseudoobstruction are presented. One boy infant was premature and the girl infant was full term. Both patients needed a defunctioning ileostomy, and biopsy findings of the intestine in both patients showed a lack of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). At the time of closure of the ileostomies to restore intestinal continuity, repeat biopsy results showed a normal pattern of distribution of ICC. Delay in the development of ICC in the gastrointestinal tract may be a cause of intestinal pseudoobstruction in the newborn.