[Spontaneous or idiopathic colonic perforation in the newborn (author's transl)].

The present research informes about aetiology, pathology, clinic and therapy of spontaneous or idiopathic perforations of the colon in the newborn. According to our experiences it is a matter of a multifactorial proceeding like perforations in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The hitherto existing clinical and experimental experiences indicate that the ischemic component plays an important part in the aetiology of this disease. Only the knowledge of the polyaetiology of idiopathic perforations--which are more properly subsumed under the term necrotizing gastroenterocolitis--and an early diagnosis by a gynaecologist or a pediatrician as well as an early surgical intervention can save the lives of those newborns.