Antenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis in dichorionic twins: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Meconium peritonitis (MP) is a chemical peritonitis, and little is known about its natural history. Below we report MP in both fetuses from a twin pregnancy, with identical clinical ultrasonographic findings but a delay in presentation.

CASE: A 31-year-old woman with a twin pregnancy was referred to our institution due to fetal bowel dilatation and ascites. Serial ultrasonography demonstrated gradual but dynamic changes. Both infants were delivered at 29 weeks'gestation. The larger infant had type II MP and experienced more postoperative complications and longer ventilatory care, parenteral nutrition and hospital stay than the smaller one, who had type III MP.

CONCLUSION

The type of MP at birth may be more important than birth weight in terms of neonatal morbidity. This case increases our understanding of the natural history and prognosis of MP.