[Intrauterine meconium peritonitis. A rare cause of non-immunologic hydrops fetalis].

A case of foetal non-immune hydrops fetalis is presented. A second gravida was referred to our department at 31 weeks' gestation after normal pregnancy course. Sonography revealed marked foetal ascites as well as a polyhydramnion. Prenatal examinations did not yield a safe diagnosis. The foetal ascites was punctured via a pigtail-catheter that was left in the foetal abdomen. This procedure was supposed to facilitate the development of foetal lungs. At 33 weeks' gestation, after spontaneous rupture of membranes, a boy was spontaneously delivered. Postpartal radiography pointed to bowel perforation. Surgery on the first day of life showed a severe meconium peritonitis following a perforation of the ileum. 22 months after this operation, the boy is physically and mentally well developed. Until now, there is no sign of mucoviscidosis. We believe that early diagnosis, the possibility of prenatal therapy and the close collaboration of disciplines made the survival of this child possible.