Origin of calcification in healed meconium peritonitis

Calcification is the most characteristic pathologic feature of healed meconium peritonitis. Occurrence of calcification in meconium peritonitis has been reported, but its mechanism has not been discussed. According to our studies, the cause of calcification and giant cell reaction is meconium peritonitis is related to several distinct factors leading to three morphologic presentations described under type I, II and III in this paper. These factors can be traced to components of meconium. These morphologic findings are specific and in the proper context diagnostic of meconium peritonitis.