Latrogenic complications due to the nasogastric and rectal cannula in neonates.

Background: An abnormal position of nasogastric and rectal tubes can be the cause of iatrogenic injuries Most often it can happen in neonates and premature infants.

Material/methods: From 1982 through 2003, we observed 9 neonates (8 premature infants) with perforation of the alimentary tract.

Results: In most of these patients the only radiological sign was displacement of the nasogastric tube.