[Meconium peritonitis. A fetal catastrophe].

A material of 21 cases of meconium peritonitis treated by operation from 1972-1987 is presented. In four cases, intraabdominal anomaly was suspected on the basis of antenatal ultrasonography. The mortality was 19%. 57% developed symptoms during the first 24 hours, one at the age of one month and this case history is presented. Thirteen had intestinal atresia, 14 intrauterine volvulus, 7 open perforation, 13 pseudocyst, 1 gastroscisis. 2 had cystic fibrosis. Two patients are still attending the outpatient clinic on account of minor sequelae. The remainder have been discharged.