Íleo meconial y falsos negativos del resultado de tripsina inmunorreactiva en una niña portadora de fibrosis quística / Meconium Ileus and false negative immunoreactive trypsine results in a cystic fibrosis carrier infant / Íleo meconial e resultados falso-negativos de tripsina imunorreativa em uma menina com fibrose cística

Introducción: la fibrosis quística (FQ) es una enfermedad genética, multisistémica, caracterizada por la disfunción de las glándulas de secreción exocrina secundaria a la mutación de una proteína transmembrana que actúa como canal de cloro. La inclusión de su búsqueda en el Sistema Nacional de Pesquisa Neonatal (SNPN) determinó un gran impacto sobre la morbimortalidad de esta enfermedad, permitiendo un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz. El íleo meconial (IM) es la manifestación más precoz de la enfermedad, ocurriendo en un 10% a 18% de los pacientes. Objetivo: describir una forma de presentación precoz de FQ con resultado de pesquisa neonatal normal. Caso clínico: 18 meses. Sexo femenino; 33 semanas de edad gestacional. Retraso en la expulsión del meconio. Al tercer día de vida íleo meconial con oclusión intestinal, vólvulo de intestino medio y necrosis intestinal. Se realiza resección quirúrgica. Tripsina inmunorreactiva (TIR) normal a los 7 y 23 días de vida. No se solicita proteína asociada a la pancreatitis (PAP). Desnutrición crónica, bronquiolitis grave a los 3 meses, neumonías virales a los 7 y 11 meses. Ingreso con diagnóstico de neumonía aguda comunitaria con insuficiencia respiratoria. Test del sudor alterado en dos oportunidades. Elastasa pancreática insuficiente. Se aísla Staphylococcus aureus y Pseudomonas aeruginosa en exudado nasal y de secreciones respiratorias. Estudio genético: mutación Delta F508. Con diagnóstico de FQ se inició abordaje multidisciplinario, tratamiento y derivación al centro especializado. Conclusiones: la existencia de IM puede dar falsos negativos en el valor de la TIR, siendo necesaria la dosificación de la PAP. El pronóstico de estos pacientes va a depender de un diagnóstico precoz y el manejo terapéutico oportuno en centros especializados.

Introduction: cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic, multisystemic disease, characterized by dysfunction of the exocrine secretion glands secondary to the mutation of a transmembrane protein that acts as a chloride channel. Including its research by the National Neonatal Screening System (SNPN) caused a great impact on the morbidity and mortality of this disease, enabling early diagnosis and treatment. Meconium ileus (MI) is the earliest manifestation of the disease, occurring in 10% to 18% of patients. Objective: to describe a form of early presentation of CF with normal neonatal screening results. Clinical case: 18 months. Female, 33 weeks gestational age. Delay in the expulsion of meconium. On the third day of life, meconium ileus with intestinal obstruction, midgut volvulus and intestinal necrosis. Surgical resection is performed. Trypsin immunoreactive (TIR) normal at 7 and 23 days of age. Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) is not requested. Chronic malnutrition, severe bronchiolitis at 3 months, viral pneumonia at 7 and 11 months. Admission with a diagnosis of acute community pneumonia with respiratory failure. Sweat test altered on two occasions. Insufficient pancreatic elastase. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated in nasal exudate and respiratory secretions. Genetic study: Delta F508 mutation. With the CF diagnosis, a multidisciplinary approach, treatment and referral to a specialized center began. Conclusions: the existence of MI can provide false negatives in the IRR value, making PAP dosage necessary. The prognosis of these patients will depend on early diagnosis and timely therapeutic management at specialized centers.

Introdução: a fibrose cística (FC) é uma doença genética, multissistêmica, caracterizada pela disfunção das glândulas secretoras exócrinas secundária à mutação de uma proteína transmembrana que age como canal de cloreto. A inclusão da sua pesquisa no Sistema Nacional de Triagem Neonatal (SNPN) determinou grande impacto na morbimortalidade desta doença, permitindo diagnóstico e tratamento precoces. O íleo meconial (IM) é a manifestação mais precoce da doença, ocorrendo em 10 a 18% dos pacientes. Objetivo: descrever uma forma de apresentação precoce da FC com resultados normais de triagem neonatal. Caso clínico: 18 meses. Sexo feminino. 33 semanas de idade gestacional. Atraso na expulsão do mecônio. No terceiro dia de vida, íleo meconial com obstrução intestinal, vólvulo de intestino médio e necrose intestinal. A ressecção cirúrgica é realizada. Imunorreativo à tripsina (TIR) normal aos 7 e 23 dias de vida. A proteína associada à pancreatite (PAP) não é solicitada. Desnutrição crônica, bronquiolite grave aos 3 meses, pneumonia viral aos 7 e11 meses. Internação com diagnóstico de pneumonia comunitária aguda com insuficiência respiratória. Teste do suor alterado em duas ocasiões. Elastase pancreática insuficiente. Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa foram isolados em exsudato nasal e secreções respiratórias. Estudo genético: mutação Delta F508. Com o diagnóstico de FC iniciou-se abordagem multidisciplinar, tratamento e encaminhamento para centro especializado. Conclusões: a existência de IM pode dar falsos negativos no valor da TIR, tornando necessária a dosagem de PAP. O prognóstico destes pacientes dependerá do diagnóstico precoce e do manejo terapêutico oportuno em centros especializados.

Meconium ileus and pancreatic sufficiency with D1152H mutation: A case report and review of the literature.

Meconium ileus (MI) is one presenting manifestation of Cystic Fibrosis (CF), classically associated with class I-III CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations and pancreatic insufficiency (PI). D1152H is a class IV mutation that corresponds with a milder CF phenotype and pancreatic sufficiency (PS). We present the case of an infant with G542X/D1152H mutations and MI who required surgical intervention with small bowel resection. The sweat testing was normal, and this child presently remains PS, however at age 5 continues to experience short gut syndrome and failure to thrive. Eight cases were identified in the CF Registry and seven cases in the literature describing patients with D1152H and echogenic bowel (EB) or MI. Our case highlights the importance of CFTR gene sequencing in infants with EB or MI and sweat testing not suggestive of CF. It is our practice to perform full CFTR gene sequencing for infants who present with MI, recognizing protocols for newborn screening across the United States vary. Increased awareness of D1152H association with PS may also well inform both prenatal and postnatal genetic counseling.

Prevalence of tracheobronchomalacia is higher than previously reported in children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is estimated to be present in 1 in 2100 children. Previous reports suggest the prevalence is higher in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). This has clinical implications with potential to influence airway clearance and lung health. AIM: To determine the prevalence and clinical associations of TBM in Western Australian children with CF. METHODS: Children with CF born between 2001 and 2016 were included. Operation reports from bronchoscopies performed until the age of 4 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected on the presence, persistence defined as a repeat diagnosis, and severity of TBM. Data on genotype, pancreatic status, and symptoms at CF diagnosis were extracted from the medical record. Associations between categorical variables were compared using χ2 and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Of 167 children (79 male), 68 (41%) were diagnosed with TBM at least once, with TBM persistent in 37 (22%) and severe in 31 (19%). TBM was significantly associated with pancreatic insufficiency (χ2 = 7.874, p < 0.05, odds ratio [OR] 3.4), delta F508 gene mutation (χ2 = 6.489, p < 0.05, OR 2.3), and a presentation of meconium ileus (χ2 = 8.615, p < 0.05, OR 5.0). Severe malacia was less likley in females (χ2 = 4.523, p < 0.05, OR 0.42) . No significant relationship was found with respiratory symptoms at the time of CF diagnosis (χ2 = 0.742, p = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: TBM was common in this group of children under the age of 4 with CF. A high index of suspicion for airway malacia should be considered in children with CF, particularly those who present with meconium ileus and have gastrointestinal symptoms at diagnosis.

Cystic fibrosis with liver involvement in adults has a benign course. Results from a tertiary referral center cohort.

BACKGROUND: Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease is a poorly understood entity, especially in adults, in terms of its real prevalence, natural history and diagnostic criteria, despite being the most important extrapulmonary cause of mortality. The aim was to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics and potential risk factors of liver disease in adults with cystic fibrosis, according to two diagnostic criteria accepted in the scientific literature. METHODS: Patients were recruited in a tertiary referral hospital, and laboratory, ultrasound, non-invasive liver fibrosis tests (AST to Platelet Ratio Index; Fibrosis-4 Index) and transient elastography (Fibroscan) were performed. The proportion of patients with liver disease according to the Debray and Koh criteria were evaluated. RESULTS: 95 patients were included, 48 (50.5%) females, with a mean age of 30.4 (28.6-32.2) years. According to the Debray criteria, 6 (6.3%) patients presented liver disease. According to the Koh criteria, prevalence increased up to 8.4%, being statistically different from the 25% value described in other published series (p = 0.005). Seven (7.5%) presented ultrasonographic chronic liver disease. Eleven (13%) presented liver fibrosis according to the APRI score; 95 (100%) had a normal FIB-4 value. Mean liver stiffness value was 4.4 (4.1-4.7) kPa. FEV1 (OR=0.16, p 0.05), meconium ileus (OR=14.16, p 0.002), platelets (Pearson coefficient -0.25, p 0.05) and younger age (Pearson coefficient -0.19, p 0.05) were risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and severity of liver disease in adult cystic fibrosis patients were lower than expected. Meconium ileus, platelets, age and respiratory function were confirmed as risk factors associated to cystic fibrosis liver disease.

High-quality read-based phasing of cystic fibrosis cohort informs genetic understanding of disease modification.

Phasing of heterozygous alleles is critical for interpretation of cis-effects of disease-relevant variation. We sequenced 477 individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) using linked-read sequencing, which display an average phase block N50 of 4.39 Mb. We use these samples to construct a graph representation of CFTR haplotypes, demonstrating its utility for understanding complex CF alleles. These are visualized in a Web app, CFTbaRcodes, that enables interactive exploration of CFTR haplotypes present in this cohort. We perform fine-mapping and phasing of the chr7q35 trypsinogen locus associated with CF meconium ileus, an intestinal obstruction at birth associated with more severe CF outcomes and pancreatic disease. A 20-kb deletion polymorphism and a PRSS2 missense variant p.Thr8Ile (rs62473563) are shown to independently contribute to meconium ileus risk (p = 0.0028, p = 0.011, respectively) and are PRSS2 pancreas eQTLs (p = 9.5 × 10-7 and p = 1.4 × 10-4, respectively), suggesting the mechanism by which these polymorphisms contribute to CF. The phase information from linked reads provides a putative causal explanation for variation at a CF-relevant locus, which also has implications for the genetic basis of non-CF pancreatitis, to which this locus has been reported to contribute.

Meconium Ileus, Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome, and Other Gastrointestinal Pathology in the Cystic Fibrosis Patient.

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal-recessive defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene located on chromosome 7 that affects 1 in 2500 live White births. Defects in the gene lead to abnormally thick secretions causing chronic obstruction in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Common gastrointestinal pathology in children with cystic fibrosis includes meconium ileus in infancy and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in childhood and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, constipation, and rectal prolapse. This article describes the presentation, diagnosis, and management of these conditions in patients with cystic fibrosis, from birth to adulthood.

Manifestaciones de la fibrosis quística en el periodo neonatal, reporte de caso / Clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis in the neonatal period, case report

La fibrosis quística (FQ) es una enfermedad autosómi- ca recesiva, más frecuente en población blanca, con una incidencia de 1/3000 a 1/8000. Se debe a una mutación en un gen que codifica una proteína reguladora de la conductancia transmembrana: cystic fibrosis transmem- brane conductance regulator (CFTR) que se encuentra en el brazo largo del cromosoma 7 y en la actualidad se han descrito más de 2,000 mutaciones en este gen. La naturaleza de las mutaciones se correlaciona con la expresión clínica. En los recién nacidos y lactantes, los signos y síntomas gastrointestinales, pancreáticos y he- páticos representan la presentación más común; entre el 80 y el 90% de los lactantes con íleo meconial tienen fibrosis quística. Se presenta el caso de un recién naci- do aparentemente sano, que desde el primer día presen- tó vómitos repetidos y a partir del segundo día datos francos de obstrucción intestinal, se realizó laparotomía exploradora y se encontró obstrucción intestinal por meconio espeso, posteriormente se realizó abordaje por sospecha de fibrosis quística por la presencia de íleo meconial confirmándose el diagnóstico mediante la se- cuenciación del gen CFTR demostrando que el paciente presenta dos variantes patogénicas de fibrosis quística...(AU)

A case report of CFTR modulator administration via carrier mother to treat meconium ileus in a F508del homozygous fetus.

We report elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) treatment of a F508del carrier who was pregnant with a F508del homozygous fetus. At 23-weeks gestation meconium ileus (MI) was evident on ultrasound including dilated, hyperechoic bowel, which persisted on subsequent imaging. Through shared decision-making, the mother began ETI at 32 weeks with intent to treat fetal MI. The ultrasound findings persisted at treatment day 13, but bowel dilation had resolved by imaging on treatment day 27. A female infant was delivered vaginally at 36 weeks with no complications. The mother continued ETI while breastfeeding. Stool elastase at age 2 weeks was 240 mcg/g. Sweat chloride measurement was 64 and 62 mEq/L. Maternal and infant liver function testing have been normal. Maternal ETI treatment likely led to resolution of the MI and there is evidence supporting continued infant benefit through breastmilk. Logistical and ethical considerations regarding treatment of a carrier mother for infant benefit are discussed.

Optimum therapeutic strategy for meconium-related ileus in very-low-birth-weight infants.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: therapeutic strategy for meconium-related ileus (MRI) in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWs) has not been established. This study aims to clarify the optimum therapeutic strategy for MRI in VLBWs. METHODS: MRI was defined as delayed meconium excretion and microcolon on contrast enema with Gastrografin (diatrizoate acid). Forty-two infants with MRI were treated at our institution between 2009 and 2019, and are reviewed here. They were classified into two groups: in group A (n=21), Gastrografin regurgitated into the dilated intestine during the first or second round of Gastrografin enema (GaE), while in group B (N = 21), Gastrografin did not regurgitate. Laparotomy was indicated if the intestine was perforated, or if abdominal distention was not relieved by two rounds of GaE. RESULTS: in group A, meconium was excreted in all cases within 24 h after GaE, and no cases required laparotomy. In group B, twelve cases (57%) underwent laparotomy (P < 0.01), six cases in this group (29%), showed free air on X-ray images (P < 0.01). The median hospital stay in groups A and B were 89.0 and 136.5 days, respectively (P < 0.05). Overall mortality was 2.4%. CONCLUSIONS: early therapeutic diagnosis by GaE followed by early surgery is suggested as the optimum strategy for MRI in VLBWs.

Early management of meconium ileus in infants with cystic fibrosis: A prospective population cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary early outcome data of meconium Ileus (MI) in cystic fibrosis (CF) are lacking on a population level. We describe these and explore factors associated with successful non-operative management. METHODS: A prospective population-cohort study using an established surveillance system (BAPS-CASS) was conducted October 2012-September 2014. Live-born infants with bowel-obstruction from inspissated meconium in the terminal ileum and CF were reported. Data are described as median (interquartile range, IQR). RESULTS: 56 infants were identified. 14/56(25%) had primary laparotomy (13/23 complicated MI, 1/33 simple), the remainder underwent contrast enema. Twelve, (12/33 (36%) with simple MI) achieved decompression. 8/12 (67%) who decompressed had >1 enema vs 3/20 (15%) with simple MI who had laparotomy after enema. The number of enemas per infant (1-4), contrast agents and their concentration, were highly variable. Enterostomy was formed at 24/44(55%) of laparotomies. In infants with simple MI, time to full enteral feeds was 6 (2-10) days in those decompressing with enema vs 15 (9-19) days with laparotomy after enema. Case fatality was 4% (95% CI 0.4-12%). Two infants, both preterm died, both in the second month after birth. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with simple MI achieving successful enema decompression were more likely to have had repeat enemas than those who proceeded to laparotomy. Successful non-operative management was associated with a shorter time to full feeds. The early management of infants with MI is highly variable and not standardised across the UK and Ireland.

Commentary on early management of meconium ileus in infants with cystic fibrosis: A prospective population cohort study.

This is a commentary on the manuscript titled "Early Management of Meconium Ileus in Infants with Cystic Fibrosis: A Prospective Population Cohort Study" by Long A-M, et al.

Discrepancy between the survival rate and neuropsychological development in postsurgical extremely low-birth-weight infants: a retrospective study over two decades at a single institution.

PURPOSE: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), focal intestinal perforation (FIP), and meconium-related ileus (MRI) are major diseases that cause gastrointestinal disorders in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs). We conducted a review to compare the postoperative outcomes of ELBWIs with these diseases in our neonatal intensive-care unit. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of ELBWIs surgically treated for NEC (n = 31), FIP (n = 35), and MRI (n = 16) in 2001-2018 was undertaken. This period was divided into early (2001-2005), middle (2006-2010), and late (2011-2018) periods. Data were analyzed with the Cochran-Armitage test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: The survival rates in ELBWIs with NEC (early/middle/late: 36.4%/42.9%/61.5%; p = 0.212) and FIP (20%/50%/70.6%; p = 0.012) improved over time; all patients with MRI survived. The neuropsychological development of 24 cases was assessed with the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development in the Postural-Motor, Cognitive-Adaptative, and Language-Social domains. The mean developmental quotient of all domains was 68.4 (range 18-95) at corrected 1.5 years of age and 69.1 (range 25-108) at chronological 3 years of age, both were considered as poor development. There was no improvement over time (p = 0.899). CONCLUSION: Ideal neuropsychological development was not observed with the improvement of survival rate. Less-invasive surgical intervention and adequate postoperative care are required to encourage further development.

Cystic fibrosis newborn screening: the importance of bloodspot sample quality.

OBJECTIVE: Wales has an immunoreactive trypsin (IRT)-DNA cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS) programme. Most CF NBS false negative cases are due to an IRT concentration below the screening threshold. The accuracy of IRT results is dependent on the quality of the dried bloodspot (DBS) sample. The aim of this study was to determine the cause of false negative cases in CF NBS and their relationship to DBS quality. DESIGN: Longitudinal birth cohort. SETTING: Wales 1996-2016. PATIENTS: Children with CF. INTERVENTIONS: Identification of all CF patients with triangulation of multiple data sources to detect false negative cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: False negative cases. RESULTS: Over 20 years, 673 952 infants were screened and 239 were diagnosed with CF (incidence 1:2819). The sensitivity of the programme was 0.958, and positive predictive value was 0.476. Eighteen potential false negatives were identified, of whom eight were excluded: four screened outside Wales, two had complex comorbidities, no identified cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) variants on extended analysis and thus not considered to have CF and two were diagnosed after their 16th birthday. Of the 10 false negatives, 9 had a low DBS IRT and at least one common CFTR variant and thus should have received a sweat test under the programme. DBS cards were available for inspection for five of the nine false negative cases-all were classified as small/insufficient or poor quality. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of false negatives had a low bloodspot IRT, and this was associated with poor quality DBS. The optimal means to improve the sensitivity of our CF NBS programme would be to improve DBS sample quality.

Bedside laparotomy in newborns -A single institute experience.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Intra hospital transfer of sick newborns is known to cause adverse events with potential morbidity. Interventions at the bedside in a sick neonate can reduce the need for transport and in turn, potential hazards of transfer. Our single institute experience of performing bedside laparotomies in unstable newborns is reported here. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven-year data was collected from electronic medical records. This was a retrospective comparative study with level III evidence. Twenty-eight neonates operated at bedside for intraabdominal sepsis due to Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC), Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation (SIP), complicated meconium ileus and perforation secondary to atresias were included Group A. Group B had 60 neonates operated for similar indications in the conventional operation theatres. RESULTS: The average corrected gestational age at surgery, associated co-morbidities, average volume of blood loss and duration of surgery were compared between the groups. Group A had lower weight at surgery (1098 vs 1872 gs), greater percentage of neonates on inotropic support (78% vs 20%) with requirement of High Frequency Ventilation (HFO) (50% vs none). A quarter of neonates (7 of 28) in Group A had NEC Totalis as against only one case in group B. There was 25% survival in group A and 76.67% in group B. The lower survival in group A can be attributed to lower weight at surgery, higher inotrope requirement and need for unconventional modes of ventilation. CONCLUSION: Bedside laparotomy is a feasible option in unstable neonates deemed unsuitable for transport.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN SANTULLI ILEOSTOMY AND LOOP ILEOSTOMY IN NEONATES WITH MECONIUM ILEUS.

BACKGROUND: Meconium ileus is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates that different surgical methods have been described for its management such as Santulli and loop ileostomy. AIM: To evaluate and compare clinical efficacy of Santulli and loop ileostomy in neonates with meconium ileus. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 58 patients with meconium ileus were evaluated. After analyses of hospital records, 53 patients with completed hospital records were included. Demographic information, surgery parameters and postoperative complications were extracted from the hospital records or calling parents. RESULTS: Skin excoriation (21.4% vs. 84%, p<0.001), ostomy prolapsed (0 vs. 28%, p=0.003), and surgical site infection (7.1% vs. 28%, p=0.044) was significantly lower in Santulli ileostomy group. Furthermore, ileostomy output in first week (70.53±15.11 ml vs. 144.6±19.99 ml, p<0.001) and in 4th week (2.14±4.98 ml vs. 18.4±17.95 ml, p<0.001) was significantly lower in Santulli ileostomy group as compared to loop ileostomy group. Finally, hospital stay in Santulli ileostomy group was 12±2.34 and in loop ileostomy 14.24±1.47 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Santulli ileostomy is better than loop ileostomy due to significant less frequency of surgical site infection, skin excoriation, prolapse of ostomy, ileostomy volume output and hospitalization time.

A comparative study between Santulli ileostomy and loop ileostomy in neonates with meconium ileus.

BACKGROUND: Meconium ileus is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates that different surgical methods have been described for its management such as Santulli and loop ileostomy. AIM: To evaluate and compare clinical efficacy of Santulli and loop ileostomy in neonates with meconium ileus. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 58 patients with meconium ileus were evaluated. After analyses of hospital records, 53 patients with completed hospital records were included. Demographic information, surgery parameters and postoperative complications were extracted from the hospital records or calling parents. RESULTS: Skin excoriation (21.4% vs. 84%, p<0.001), ostomy prolapsed (0 vs. 28%, p=0.003), and surgical site infection (7.1% vs. 28%, p=0.044) was significantly lower in Santulli ileostomy group. Furthermore, ileostomy output in first week (70.53±15.11 ml vs. 144.6±19.99 ml, p<0.001) and in 4th week (2.14±4.98 ml vs. 18.4±17.95 ml, p<0.001) was significantly lower in Santulli ileostomy group as compared to loop ileostomy group. Finally, hospital stay in Santulli ileostomy group was 12±2.34 and in loop ileostomy 14.24±1.47 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Santulli ileostomy is better than loop ileostomy due to significant less frequency of surgical site infection, skin excoriation, prolapse of ostomy, ileostomy volume output and hospitalization time.

Congenital syphilis unusually presenting with prematurity-related severe neonatal morbidities including meconium obstruction: A case report and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Congenital syphilis (CS) can manifest as a variety of clinical presentations according to the severity in symptomatic infants during neonatal period. Preterm neonates with CS may have more clinical evidences of infection and be more severely affected by CS compared with term ones. With increasing survival of markedly premature infants for recent decades, CS may be a challenging problem in those with severe manifestations associated with combined pathophysiologies of CS and prematurity. PATIENT CONCERNS: A very low birth weight infant at 32 weeks gestation presented with an unusual CS presentation consisting of prematurity-associated severe neonatal morbidities including meconium obstruction, prolonged cholestatic jaundice with elevated liver enzymes, and disseminated intravascular coagulation with a bleeding diathesis, in addition to common or typical manifestations of CS. DIAGNOSES: Congenital syphilis. INTERVENTIONS: Therapy consisting of a complete course of parenteral penicillin, blood component therapy, proximal ileotomy with inspissated meconium evacuation and distal loop ileostomy, and other conservative treatments. OUTCOMES: Resolution with normal gastrointestinal function and improved liver function was observed. LESSONS: This case suggests that in premature infants CS may manifest as unusual severe neonatal morbidities that may result from combination of syphilitic pathologies and contributors or conditions associated with prematurity including multisystem immaturity.