Causes usually involve a rupture of the small bowel associated with:
(1) intestinal atresia
(2) fetal hydrops with rupture of the appendix
(3) complicated meconium ileus
(4) intussusception
(5) other
According to Dirkes et al, meconium peritonitis can be classified as:
(1) simple: no associated bowel abnormalities
(2) complex: bowel abnormalities present
Clinical findings:
(1) distended abdomen with ascites
Imaging findings seen in the fetus or newborn:
(1) intra-abdominal calcifications
(2) ascites
(3) bowel distention
(4) polyhydramnios
(5) pseudocyst formation
Laboratory findings:
(1) greenish peritoneal fluid
(2) inflammation in the peritoneal fluid, often sterile
