meconium peritonitis

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Related to meconium peritonitis: meconium ileus, Cloacal exstrophy

me·co·ni·um per·i·to·ni·tis

peritonitis caused by intestinal perforation in the fetus or newborn; associated with congenital obstruction or due to cystic fibrosis.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

me·co·ni·um per·i·to·ni·tis

(mē-kō'nē-ŭm per'i-tō-nī'tis)

Peritonitis caused by intestinal perforation in the fetus or newborn; associated with congenital obstruction or fibrocystic disease of the pancreas.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

meconium peritonitis

Peritonitis in the newborn caused by perforation of the gastrointestinal tract in utero. It most often occurs in newborns with cystic fibrosis. Neonatal intestinal obstruction is also usually present.

See also: peritonitis

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References in periodicals archive ?

If present, sonographic findings of meconium peritonitis may help clarify the diagnosis.

When a peritesticular mass with calcifications and hydroceles is found on prenatal sonography, it is important to consider MPO and search for signs of meconium peritonitis. Atypical cases do occur, in which surgical exploration and histological confirmation are still warranted.

Meconium peritonitis. JAMA 1953;152:582-4http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1953.03690070016005.

Meconium periorchitis: a case report and literature review

Meconium peritonitis, as in our case, features bulging flanks and central bowel loops on plain radiographs.

The causes of meconium peritonitis include bowel obstruction from strictures, small bowel atresia, volvulus, intussusception, and meconium ileus from cystic fibrosis (CF).

Imaging findings of meconium peritonitis

Fetal ultrasonographic findings in meconium peritonitis are fetal ascites calcification, polyhydramnios, pseudocyst formation and dilated bowel loops.

If the atresia and the impaired blood flow occur before the meconium reaches the small intestine, only intestinal atresia is seen without meconium peritonitis. However, a pseudocyst formation take place if they occur after the meconium reaches the site.