ABSTRACT
Meconium ileus is an early manifestation of cystic fibrosis (CF), due to abnormal, inspissated, and viscid mucus of intestinal origin. In children affected by this condition, the impacted meconium produces an intraluminal obstruction occurring in the midileum, leading to a progressive distension. Meconium ileus accounts for 9"-33" of all neonatal intestinal obstructions and could be defined as the third most common cause of neonatal small bowel obstruction after ileal and duodenojejunal atresia and malrotation. Meconium ileus is an essential expression of CF, which is the most common lethal autosomal recessive disorder in white populations, and is characterized by dysfunctional chloride ion transport across epithelial surfaces. Polyhydramnios is the most frequent feature observed in prenatal diagnosis of complicated forms of meconium ileus. Meconium usually fills the small bowel during the 20th week of gestation, so identification of meconium ileus before this period is rare.
