Cytomegalovirus: a cause of colonic stricture in a premature infant.

A 27-week-old infant developed symptoms of bowel obstruction when full enteral feeds were started. Laparotomy revealed strictures in the ascending and proximal transverse colon. Right hemicolectomy was performed. Histological examination of the resected large bowel demonstrated the presence of Cytomegalovirus inclusion bodies. Cytomegalovirus infections of the gut are extremely rare in neonates. This case report alerts neonatologists and microbiologists to consider Cytomegalovirus infection as a possible cause of bowel obstruction and necrotising enterocolitis like symptoms.