Noniatrogenic neonatal gastric perforation: the role of interstitial cells of Cajal

Fetal Pediatr Pathol. 2013 Dec;32(6):422-8. doi: 10.3109/15513815.2013.799248. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

Abstract

Noniatrogenic neonatal gastric perforation is a rare and life-threatening condition whose etiology is often unclear. Interstitial cells of Cajal act as gastrointestinal pacemaker cells and express the proto-oncogene c-Kit. Six new cases were identified at our institution which presented with no mechanical, pharmacologic, or otherwise medical-related intervention prior to rupture. The number of interstitial cells of Cajal in nonnecrotic muscularis propria from five random high-power fields per specimen was compared using immunohistochemical stains for c-Kit. The authors show that a lack of interstitial cells of Cajal in the stomach musculature may be implicated in the development of noniatrogenic gastric perforation (p = 0.008). Further large-scale studies, including molecular and genetic analysis, may help to better understand this phenomenon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Count
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interstitial Cells of Cajal / metabolism
  • Interstitial Cells of Cajal / pathology*
  • Male
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Rupture, Spontaneous
  • Stomach Rupture / etiology*
  • Stomach Rupture / metabolism
  • Stomach Rupture / pathology

Substances

  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit