Neonatal surgical emergencies

The risk of unsuspected surgical emergencies during the neonatal period has decreased over the past several years because of widespread use of ultrasonography for fetal screening. However, surgical emergencies unique to the neonatal period still continue to plague the unsuspecting emergency physician. Most surgically correctable disorders in the neonate will present with vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, or respiratory distress. This article will provide the emergency physician with the typical presentation, diagnostic work-up, and treatment options for surgically correctable problems in the neonate.