A neonate with meconium peritonitis, first-trimester hepatitis A affected pregnancy: A case report

Congenital intra-abdominal masses can stem from various etiologies. However, the differential diagnoses in the presence of meconium peritonitis are primarily narrow to gastrointestinal disorders such as cystic fibrosis, Hirschsprung's disease, and colonic atresia. Additionally, literature has documented rare associations, including maternal hepatitis A infection. We present a case of a premature female infant born via cesarean section to a 25-year-old mother with adequate prenatal care. The mother had a history of flu-like symptoms and diarrhea during the first trimester and routine third-trimester pelvic sonogram findings raised concerns for fetal bowel obstruction or a pelvic mass accompanied by polyhydramnios. The infant presented with a rare occurrence of meconium peritonitis associated with maternal hepatitis A infection. This case is presented to engage and intrigue the medical community. In addition, it suggests that intrauterine exposure to the hepatitis A virus may contribute to fetal intra-abdominal vascular accidents, causing meconium peritonitis.