Neonatal chylous ascites--report of three cases and review of the literature.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-1997
Abstract
Three cases of neonatal chylous ascites (CCA) were managed in the neonatal unit, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, over the past 9 years. Fetal ascites and polyhydramnios were the sole abnormalities detected in all three babies by antenatal ultrasonography. They were born at 36 weeks' gestation and their birth weights ranged from 3.0 kg to 3.8 kg. All three infants had abdominal distension at birth. Milky ascitic fluid was obtained after starting enteral feedings. Analysis of the ascitic fluid revealed a raised white blood cell count (predominantly lymphocytic) and triglycerides (1.4 - 3.8 mmol/l), cholesterol (1.6 - 2.8 mmol/l), and protein levels (25 - 41 g/l). Conservative management with skimmed milk and medium-chain triglycerides in one infant and Pregestimil in another was instituted. these two infants with CCA were clinically normal when reviewed at 19 months and 3.5 years of age. The third infant had a gut malrotation and associated pyloric septum; he died from complications of a laparotomy. The literature on this rare condition is reviewed.
Keywords
Chylous Ascites/diagnosis, Chylous Ascites/epidemiology
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Pediatric Surgery International
Volume
12
Issue
4
Publisher
Springer Verlag
Additional Information
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia