ATROGENICGASTRIC PERFORATION IN AN 18-MONTH-OLD INFANT: A CASE REPORT

We report the case of an 18-month-old Moroccan infant admitted for suspectedforeign body ingestion, whodeveloped an iatrogenicgastric perforation. Bronchoscopy, performedwithoutevidence of a foreign body, wascomplicated by severebronchospasmrequiring intubation, mechanical ventilation, and prolongedsedation. During the ICU stay, the placement of a nasogastric tube led to gastricmucosal micro-erosions, promoting the formation of a stress ulcer and itssubsequent perforation. Threedays post-intubation, abdominal distension withperitonealsignsprompted a CT scan, confirming massive pneumoperitoneum. Emergency laparotomywithgastricsuturing and peritoneal lavage wasperformed but wasunsuccessful due to a fatal hypovolemicshock.