Hemoperitoneum and disseminated intravascular coagulation in two neonates with congenital bilateral neuroblastoma

Abstract

We report two neonates with anemia, hemoperitoneum, and bilateral palpable abdominal masses. Both developed bleeding: a hemoperitoneum in one and visceral hemorrhages secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation in the other. Each child was thought to have an unusual complication of adrenal hemorrhage, as the masses were of mixed echogenicity. However, histological evaluation revealed neuroblastoma. These cases point out the diagnostic dilemma of a mixed echogenicity suprarenal mass in the neonatal period and emphasize that local and disseminated bleeding can occur as a major manifestation of neuroblastoma.