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Case Report of Meconium Peritonitis: A Rare Cause of Non-immune Hydrops Fetalis
Radhika Maddali1,2, Carmen Alvarez-Gell3, Palanikumar Balasundaram4,5
1Department of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, USA.
Abstract:
Meconium peritonitis (MP) as a cause of non-immune hydrops in neonates is rarely reported. We present a case of a 35-week gestational-age male neonate diagnosed with hydrops secondary to MP. Antenatal scan at 34 weeks and five days revealed features of fetal hydrops, and the prenatal workup did not reveal the etiology. Postnatal imaging confirmed MP with abdominal calcifications, and the neonate developed pneumoperitoneum due to intestinal perforation. Emergency laparotomy revealed diffuse MP without a definitive site of perforation. An ileostomy was created and closed before discharge. Follow-up showed normal growth and development, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management in such rare cases. MP, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF), particularly in the presence of fetal ascites.
Insights
Meconium peritonitis (MP) is a rare cause of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) in newborns. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care are crucial for managing this condition, as highlighted in this case report.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) presents diagnostic challenges, with rare causes requiring specific consideration.
- Meconium peritonitis (MP), a fetal inflammatory condition, is an infrequently reported etiology for NIHF.
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