A Case of Meconium Peritonitis Diagnosed by Prenatal Ultrasonography.

Min, G J; Oh, Y G; Ji, I W; Roh, J S; Jeong, E H; Kim, H S

Case Report

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1999;42(6):1376-1380.
Published online January 1, 2001.

A Case of Meconium Peritonitis Diagnosed by Prenatal Ultrasonography.

G J Min, Y G Oh, I W Ji, J S Roh, E H Jeong, H S Kim

Abstract

Meconium peritonitis is a chemical or foreign body reaction of the peritoneum resulted from the prenatal small bowel perforation associated with or without obstructive lesions and malformation during late intrauterine or early neonatal periods. Extravasation of sterile meconium into the peritoneal cavity causes an intense peritoneal reaction resulting in characteristic calcification and ascites which might be observed by the prenatal ultrasonographic examination. Prenatal ultrasonographic detection of the meconium peritonitis allows the preparation for the proper management which should reduce the mortality and morbidity of the neonate. Recently, a case of prenatal meconium peritonitis diagnosed by ultrasonography at 39th gestational weeks was experienced at our department. We represent this case with a brief review of literature concerned.

Key Words: Meconium Peritonitis, Ultrasonography