Correlation of prenatal ultrasound and postnatal outcome in meconium peritonitis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between prenatal ultrasound features and postnatal course of meconium peritonitis.


METHODS
Meconium peritonitis was diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. Fetuses were treated by intrauterine paracentesis of ascites when indicated, and symptomatic newborns received surgery.


RESULTS
Totally 17 cases were enrolled. Prenatal ultrasound findings include abdominal calcification (16/17), fetal ascites (12/17), hydramnios (9/17), pseudocyst (7/17) and dilated bowel loop (6/17). Persistent ascites, pseudocyst or dilated bowel loop are most sensitive (92%) to predict postnatal surgery (p = 0.022). The survivors have a higher gestational age at birth (36.4 vs. 33.3 weeks, p = 0.008). Persistent ascites and postnatal persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborns significantly correlate with neonatal mortality (p = 0.029 and 0.022).


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal ultrasound can predict the neonatal outcome in meconium peritonitis.
Shyu
Ming-Kwang
MK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Shih
Jin-Chung
JC
Lee
Chien-Nan
CN
Hwa
Hsiao-Lin
HL
Chow
Song-Nan
SN
Hsieh
Fon-Jou
FJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data