Citation Information :
Raghavendra PR, Nair S, Goyal M, Nathan MV, Haribalakrishna A, Sathe PA. Neonatal Small Colon Syndrome in Infants of Diabetic Mothers: Is It Always a Transient Condition?. 2025; 4 (1):49-52.
Objective: We describe an infant of diabetic mother (IDM) with an unusually severe, extensive, and persistent neonatal small colon syndrome (NSCS).
Case presentation: We report a 36-week-gestation female IDM who developed signs of intestinal obstruction at about 6 hours after birth. A contrast enema showed a small-caliber distal small intestine and colon. There was no clinical improvement over next 2 weeks, and so an exploratory laparotomy was performed; the involved bowel contained viscous meconium with pellets. Histopathological examination showed normal bowel histoarchitecture with an appropriate morphology/number of ganglion cells. A double barrel enterostomy was created, and the distal gastrointestinal tract was regularly flushed. She has since shown good improvement and has been discharged on full, exclusive breastfeeds. Laboratory investigations, including blood counts and chemistries, thyroid function, and screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) were reassuring. Our working diagnosis is an unusually severe/extensive NSCS. We have followed this infant for gastrointestinal symptoms now for 3 months since discharge.
Conclusion: Neonatal small colon syndrome may not always show prompt, spontaneous resolution. It should be included in the differential diagnosis of a newborn infant with unusually prolonged signs of intestinal obstruction. Some infants may require surgical management with ostomy formation.
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