title: Meconium per vagina: a rare presentation of meconium peritonitis.
abstract: Meconium peritonitis results from antenatal perforation of the gastrointestinal tract; it presents as gastrointestinal obstruction, intraabdominal masses, or calcification. The presentation with passage of meconium per vagina secondary to meconium peritonitis is rare. We describe the radiologic and surgical findings in a neonate who had passage of meconium per vagina secondary to ileal atresia and meconium peritonitis. Initial clinical and radiologic examination suggested rectal atresia with an associated rectovaginal fistula, although subsequently, this was not the case. Possible explanations for the passage of meconium per vagina include decompression of a meconium cyst via the left fallopian tube or direct perforation of a collection into the vagina from the peritoneal cavity.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Surgery, Department of Paediatrics, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, NR4 7UY, UK. neil.featherstone@nnuh.nhs.uk <neil.featherstone@nnuh.nhs.uk>
authors.forename: Neil C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Featherstone
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fathi
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacIver
authors.forename: Azad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: Milind
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004065:Digestive System Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods; D008470:Meconium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014599:Uterus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging