Meconium peritonitis in stillbirths.

Meconium peritonitis is a sterile, chemical peritonitis resulting from perforation of the bowel in perinatal life. In stillbirths meconium peritonitis is extremely rare. We report the autopsy findings in three fetuses ranging from 21-39 weeks gestation in which meconium peritonitis was identified. Maternal history in two cases was suggestive of possible fetal hypoxia. No family history of cystic fibrosis was discerned. One fetus was hydropic and abdominal calcifications were noted on postmortem radiograph. Gross evidence of meconium in the peritoneal cavity, visceral adhesions, and serosal nodules were noted in two fetuses. Nodules of calcified meconium seen by microscopy were the only clues to diagnosis in the third fetus. The discovery of meconium peritonitis at autopsy may be the only residual evidence of antecedent bowel perforation. We suggest that intrauterine hypoxia may play a role in the development of meconium peritonitis in some cases.