Top

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology

Published in:

01-12-2008 | Case Report

Small bowel perforation and fatal peritonitis following a fall in a 21-month-old child

Authors: Andrew M. Davison, Edgar J. Lazda

Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Issue 4/2008

Abstract

The authors report a case of fatal peritonitis due to small bowel perforation in a 21-month-old female child. Necropsy excluded natural disease and a thorough Coronial investigation concluded that an accidental fall onto a “doorstop” caused the bowel injury. The investigative findings are presented; the discussion address issues of diagnosis and causation/mechanism of injury.

Kurkchubasche AG, Fendya DG, Tracy TF, Silen ML, Weber TR. Blunt intestinal injury in children. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. Arch Surg. 1997;132:652–8.PubMed

Schimpl G, Schmidt B, Sauer H. Isolated bowel injury in blunt abdominal trauma in childhood. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 1992;2:341–4.PubMedCrossRef

Brown RA, Bass DH, Rode H, Millar AJW, Cywes S. Gastrointestinal tract perforation in children due to blunt abdominal trauma. Br J Surg. 1992;79:522–4.PubMedCrossRef

Cobb LM, Vinocur CD, Wagner CW, Weintraub WH. Intestinal perforation due to blunt trauma in children in an era of increased nonoperative treatment. J Trauma. 1986;26:461–3.PubMedCrossRef

Burney RE, Mueller GL, Coon WW, Thomas EJ, MacKenzie JR. Diagnosis of isolated small bowel injury following blunt abdominal trauma. Ann Emerg Med. 1983;12:71–4.PubMedCrossRef

Huntimer CM, Muret-Wagstaff S, Leland NL. Can falls on stairs result in small intestinal perforations? Pediatrics. 2000;106:301–5.PubMedCrossRef

Wisner DH, Chun Y, Blaisdell FW. Blunt Intestinal Injury. Arch Surg. 1990;125:1319–23.PubMed

Holland AJA, Cass DT, Glasson MJ, Pitkin J. Small bowel injuries in children. J Paediatr Child Health. 2000;36:265–9.PubMedCrossRef

Canty TG Sr, Canty TG Jr, Brown C. Injuries of the gastrointestinal tract from blunt trauma in children: A 12 year experience at a designated pediatric trauma center. J Trauma. 1999;46:234–40.PubMedCrossRef

10.

Kakos GS, Grosfeld JL, Morse TS. Small bowel injuries in children after blunt abdominal trauma. Ann Surg. 1971;174:238–41.PubMed

11.

Dickinson SJ, Shaw A, Santulli TV. Rupture of the gastrointestinal tract in children by blunt trauma. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1970;130:655–7.PubMed

12.

Pokorney WJ, Brandt ML, Harberg FJ. Major duodenal injuries in children: diagnosis, operative management and outcome. J Pediatr Surg. 1986;21:613–6.CrossRef

13.

Tank ES, Eraklis AJ, Gross RE. Blunt abdominal trauma in infancy and childhood. J Trauma. 1968;8:439–48.PubMedCrossRef

14.

Grosfeld JL, Molinari F, Chaet M, Engum SA, West KW, Rescorla FJ, Tres Scherer LR III. Gastrointestinal perforation and peritonitis in infants and children: experience with 179 cases over ten years. Surgery. 1996;120:650–6.PubMedCrossRef

15.

Chambers CE. Perforation of the ileum. Arch Surg. 1972;105:550–2.PubMed

16.

Hinkamp JF, Byrne MP, De Bartola HM Jr. Perforation of the ileum in a child. J Pediatr Surg. 1974;9:253–4.PubMedCrossRef

17.

Larson HE, Barclay FE, Honour P, Hill ID. Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile in infants. J Infect Dis. 1982;146:727–33.PubMed

18.

Oguz F, Uysal G, Dasdemir S, Oskovi H, Vidinlisan S. The role of Clostridium difficile in childhood nosocomial diarrhea. Scand J Infect Dis. 2001;33:731–3.PubMedCrossRef

19.

Stevens SL, Maull KI. Small bowel injuries. Surg Clin North Am. 1990;70:541–61.PubMed

20.

Shuck JM, Lowe RJ. Intestinal disruption due to blunt abdominal trauma. Am J Surg. 1978;136:668–73.PubMedCrossRef

21.

Ceelen W, Hesse U, De Hemptinne B. Small bowel perforation following blunt abdominal trauma. Acta Chir Belg. 1995;95:187–9.PubMed

22.

Arcari FA. Blunt abdominal trauma in infants and children. J Mich State Med Soc. 1962;61:335–6.

23.

Scalea T, Goldstein A, Phillips T, Sclafani SJA, Panetta T, McAuley J, Shaftan G. An analysis of 161 falls from a height: The “Jumper Syndrome”. J Trauma. 1986;26:706–12.PubMedCrossRef

24.

Bloom AI, Reissman P, Eid A, Durst AL. Isolated ileal perforation after minor blunt abdominal injury. Eur J Surg. 1995;161:57–8.PubMed

25.

Mercer S, Legrand L, Stringel G, Soucy P. Delay in diagnosing gastrointestinal injury after blunt abdominal trauma in children. Can J Surg. 1985;28:138–40.PubMed

26.

Ross WB, Bickerstaff DR. Late jejunal perforation following blunt injury. Injury. 1985;16:481.PubMedCrossRef

27.

Shenk WG III, Lonchyna V, Moylan JA. Perforation of the jejunum from blunt abdominal trauma. J Trauma. 1983;23:54–6.CrossRef

28.

Robbs JV, Moore SW, Pillay SP. Blunt abdominal trauma with jejunal injury: a review. J Trauma. 1980;20:308–11.PubMed

Title: Small bowel perforation and fatal peritonitis following a fall in a 21-month-old child
Authors: Andrew M. Davison
Edgar J. Lazda
Publication date: 01-12-2008
Publisher: Humana Press Inc
Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Issue 4/2008
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Electronic ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-008-9041-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Small bowel perforation and fatal peritonitis following a fall in a 21-month-old child

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2008

Intrathoracic petechiae in SIDS: a retrospective population-based 15-year study

Darrell L. Ross, Theodore C. Chan (eds): Sudden Deaths in Custody

DNA reviews: DNA identification following CBRN incidents

From the Editor-in-Chief

Ba’alat

Mark Tibbet, David O. Carter (eds): Soil Analysis in Forensic Taphonomy: Chemical and Biological Effects of Buried Human Remains