
Neonatal Teratoma
1792-1794
Correspondence
Dr. Ramesh Bhat. Y. MBBS. MD (Paed)
Asso. Prof., Dept. Of Paediatrics,
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University,
Manipal-576104, Udupi District, Karnataka (India)
E-mail: docrameshbhat@yahoo.co.in Telephone: +91 9448296564,Fax: 91 (0820) 2571934
Teratomas are neoplasms originating in pluripotent cells. They are composed of a wide diversity of tissues representing all three germ cell layers. The sacrococcygeal area is the most common extragonadal site. A sacrococcygeal teratoma is the commonest teratoma presenting in the neonatal period. We present a term neonate who had a large teratoma in the sacrococcygeal region. The tumour was associated with polyhydramnios and elevated alpha-fetoprotein at birth. Enbloc resection of the tumour resulted in rapid decline in the alpha-fetoprotein. Histopathological examination of the mass confirmed the tissues of all the three germ cell layers.