PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Yarkin, Yasemin AU - Maas, Christoph AU - Franz, Axel R AU - Kirschner, Hans-Joachim AU - Poets, Christian F TI - Epidemiological study on intestinal volvulus without malrotation in VLBW infants AID - 10.1136/archdischild-2018-315282 DP - 2019 Jul 01 TA - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition PG - F415--F418 VI - 104 IP - 4 4099 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/104/4/F415.short 4100 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/104/4/F415.full SO - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed2019 Jul 01; 104 AB - Background We conducted a monthly epidemiological survey in Germany to detect the prevalence of volvulus without malrotation (VWM) in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants and to identify factors for a better distinction between this rare and life-threatening event and other acute abdominal diseases in preterm infants.Methods Throughout 2014 and 2015, every paediatric department in Germany was asked to report cases of VWM in infants with birth weights <1500 g to the Surveillance Unit for Rare Paediatric Conditions in Germany. Hospitals reporting a case were asked to return an anonymised questionnaire and discharge letter.Results Of 36 cases reported, detailed information was submitted on 29, with 26 meeting entry criteria. With 9896 and 10 140 VLBW infants born in Germany in 2014 and 2015, respectively, we estimated a prevalence of 1.52/1000 VLBW infants for 2014 and 1.08/1000 in 2015. No specific early symptom could be determined. 10% died, and 21% of infants developed short bowel syndrome. Calculated from all verified VWM arise death in 8% and a short bowel syndrome in 15%.Conclusion VWM is a rare source of acute abdomen in VLBW infants. No specific signs and symptoms potentially facilitating an early recognition of VWM could be found from this survey. Because the rates of death and short bowel syndrome are high, VWM should always be considered early in an acute abdomen in a VLBW infant.