Mild form of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis masked by anal fissures.

In three infants with clinically mild necrotizing enterocolitis, heme-positive stools were initially attributed to anal fissures, delaying diagnosis and treatment of the enterocolitis for 4-10 days. Radiographically, pneumatosis intestinalis involved the entire colon and rectum. A causal relation may exist between necrotizing enterocolitis and anal fissure.