A Rare Case of an Intraluminal Abscess of the Umbilical Artery as Differential Diagnosis for Omphalitis in Newborns

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Good

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Good

Comments: The Discussion states that omphalitis is an infection of the umbilicus and/or the surrounding tissue and it occurs mainly in the newborn period. It highlights that in the reported case, the abscess was localized in the intracorporeal part of the umbilical artery. Relevant literature has been cited to support the Discussion. The study concludes that the empiric choice of antibiotics after incision of an abscess of the umbilical artery should include Staphylococcus aureus. To exclude the possibility of the formation of an abscess, every newborn with omphalitis should be examined with sonography.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Good

Comments: Except the following errors have been detected:

1.     The 2^nd sentence in the 2^nd paragraph under Case Report was not framed properly and should be changed to “This region was sensitive to pressure.”

2.     The 3^rd sentence in the 2^nd paragraph under Case Report was not framed properly and should be changed to “Besides this, the general condition…. lower by 1 second, the fontanelle was normal.”

3.     The 7^th sentence in the 5^th paragraph under Discussion was not framed properly and should be changed to “Staphylococcus pyogenes had grown in 5 cases and other bacteria … “paracolon bacillus”.”

Further comments on the paper

Comments: The case report presents the rare case of an intraluminal abscess of the umbilical artery of a 19-days old newborn. Operative exploration and incision of the abscess were performed. Further postoperative treatment has also been illustrated, which included antibiotic treatment until the blood cultures showed no further bacterial growth. The postoperative course was completely uneventful. The follow-up examination 7 months later showed no further problems. The study suggests that to exclude the possibility of the formation of an abscess, every newborn with omphalitis should be examined with sonography. Since these umbilical intraluminal abscesses are reported to cause high mortality in newborns and young infants, in case an abscess is present surgical treatment should be indicated in a timely manner.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

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Science Repository Team