Suspected fetal onset of neonatal transient eosinophilic colitis and development of respiratory distress

Pediatr Int. 2015 Aug;57(4):734-8. doi: 10.1111/ped.12577. Epub 2015 Mar 25.

Abstract

Neonatal transient eosinophilic colitis (NTEC) is a new disease concept within eosinophilic gastroenteritis, which was proposed by Ohtsuka et al. It causes hematochezia as a result of eosinophilia, in neonates who have not yet started to receive enteral nutrition, although the whole-body status of the infant is in fact relatively good. To date, there have been no reports of this disease in which abnormalities were noted during gestation, and the clinical phenomena surrounding it, along with any complications, are not yet clear. We encountered a suspected case of NTEC causing respiratory distress with aspiration of hematochezia, in which dilated bowel was noted during gestation. This case indicates that NTEC may occur at the fetal stage and be complicated by respiratory distress.

Keywords: distended fetal bowel; eosinophilia; hematochezia; meconium aspiration syndrome; neonatal transient eosinophilic colitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Colitis / complications*
  • Colitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Enteritis / complications*
  • Enteritis / diagnostic imaging
  • Eosinophilia / complications*
  • Eosinophilia / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetal Diseases
  • Gastritis / complications*
  • Gastritis / diagnostic imaging
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / etiology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / diagnostic imaging
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / etiology*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Supplementary concepts

  • Eosinophilic enteropathy