Neonatal small intestinal zygomyocosis misdiagnosed as intussusception in a two-day-old child with a review of the literature

Abstract

Neonatal mucormycosis is caused by fungi belonging to the class Zygomycetes. Clinically, it mimics necrotizing enterocolitis. We describe a case of 2-day-old baby who presented with abdominal distension and vomiting. A clinical diagnosis of intussusception was suspected. An exploratory laprotomy revealed gangrenous bowel wall and no intussusception or any gas-filled vesicles. Histological examination of the gangrenous segment showed transmural ischemic necrosis with fungal hyphae of zygomycosis. The baby is doing well postoperatively at a follow-up of 3 months. Hence, a high degree of clinical suspicion is important in neonates not responding to usual therapy or antibiotics.