Neonatal intestinal perforation caused by congenital defects of the intestinal musculature.

Spontaneous perforation of the small intestine in the newborn is rare. In most cases the etiology is unknown. Three cases of perforation in preterm newborn infants are described. The clinical diagnosis was necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and an urgent laparotomy was performed. The histologic examination was compatible with the diagnosis of a congenital defect of the intestinal musculature. All three infants survived.