First case report of spontaneous perinatal gastric perforation in premature neonate with potter sequence and syndrome

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The Potter sequence is defined as a series of congenital defects related to severe oligohydramnios, associated with polycystic kidney disease, bilateral renal agenesis, pulmonary hypoplasia, obstructive uropathy and premature rupture of membrane, which compromises the life of the neonate sometime after birth. Within the evidence published so far, which is very little, no perforation of the gastrointestinal tract has been reported as a complication of this condition. CASE PRESENTATION: Male neonate born preterm with prenatal diagnosis of pulmonary hypoplasia, polycystic renal dysplasia and severe oligohydramnios (Potter sequence), presented acute respiratory distress syndrome 10 min after birth, requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to the intensive care unit. During her stay in intensive care, he developed abdominal distension and presence of biliary content in the nasogastric tube. An abdominal X-ray was performed and showed signs of pneumoperitoneum, evidencing gastric perforation on exploratory laparotomy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Gastric perforation in neonates is a condition that causes high health costs, morbidity, high risk of mortality and disability, regardless of the cause. The management of gastric perforation in Potter syndrome, as well as any other complication, represents a challenge due to the prognosis of these patients. Renal failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome are disorders that compromise the function of various structures and organs such as the heart and brain. CONCLUSION: Gastric perforation is a possible complication of the Potter sequence or syndrome. In addition, there is no literature describing the benefits or disadvantages of specific surgical techniques in the resolution of perforation.