meconium ileus

Question 1

what is meconium ileus?

Answer 1

distal small bowel obstruction secondary to abnormal bulky and viscid meconium

Question 2

what is this associated with?

Answer 2

Ninety percent of these infants will have cystic fibrosis and the abnormal meconium is the result of deficient intestinal secretions.

Question 3

how does it present?

Answer 3

This condition presents during the first days of life with gross abdominal distension and bilious vomiting.

Question 4

what does an x ray show?

Answer 4

1. x Ray of the abdomen shows distended coils of bowel and typical mottled ground glass appearance.
2. Fluid levels are scarce as the meconium is viscid.