ABSTRACT
Intra-abdominal injury results from blunt trauma to the abdomen. It is more commonly seen in an older, toddler age group. The trauma may result in laceration of a solid organ, most commonly the liver, pancreas or spleen with intra-abdominal bleeding. Bleeding from any orifice is extremely unusual in infancy. In the absence of a bleeding disorder it is often suggestive of some form of physical or sexual abuse. Bleeding from the rectum is usually the result of anal tears and may be put down to constipation, but sexual abuse is a recognised cause. Bleeding from the nose in infants, in the absence of a severe upper respiratory tract infection, may be a sign of attempted suffocation. Typically the duodenum perforates due to its more vulnerable fixed retroperitoneal position overlying the spine. Bowel perforation commonly results in peritonitis and is associated with a high mortality.
