title: Correlation of prenatal ultrasound and postnatal outcome in meconium peritonitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Kwang
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shyu
authors.forename: Jin-Chung
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Chien-Nan
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hsiao-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hwa
authors.forename: Song-Nan
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Fon-Jou
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: 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