CLINICAL FEATURES OF THE COURSE OF HIRSCHSPRING'S DISEASE INCHILDREN OF THE FIRST YEAR.

The purpose of the work - to investigate the peculiarities of the clinical course of Hirschsprung's disease in children of the first year of life and to determine the significance of symptoms in the verification of the disease. From 1980 to 2021, at the pediatric surgery clinic of the National Medical University named after O.O. Bogomolets on the basis of the National Children's Specialized Hospital "OKHMATDYT" and in the pediatric surgery clinic of the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University on the basis of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Children's Clinical Hospital, 483 children of the first year of life suffering from Hirschsprung's disease were examined and treated. The clinical manifestation and course of aganglionosis varied in length at the time of hospitalization and depended on the time after birth. During the first month of life, 97 (20.08%) patients were hospitalized, of which 39 (8.07%) hadatypical clinical picture due to: colonic atresia in 15 (3.10%), colonic atresia + gastroschisis in 3 (0.62%), ileal atresia in 9 (1.86%), esophageal atresia in 3 (0 .62%), clefts of the hard and soft palate in 9 (1.86%). Depending on the age, there were 280 (57.97%) patients under 6 months, and 203 (42.03%) patients between 6 months and 1 year. The classic typical clinical picture was in 444 (91.93%) patients, which was characterized by the absence of meconium excretion, abdominal distension in 444 (91.93%), delayed physiological weight gain against the background of nutritional insufficiency with the development of hypotrophy in 327 (67.70%) , vomiting of stagnant gastric and intestinal contents in 417 (86.34%). On the other hand, enterocolitis in 315 (65.22%), toxic megacolon in 16 (3.31%), and anemia of various degrees occurred in 241 (49.89%) patients among the complications that arose during the examination of patients with Hirschsprung's disease. According to the results of a comprehensive examination, the following extent of aganglionosis was established: rectal in 100 (20.70%), rectosigmoid in 192 (39.75%), subtotal in 150 (31.06%) and total in 41 (8.49%) patients. Concomitant malformations were found in 98 (20.29%) patients: renal malformations were diagnosed in 7 (1.45%) patients, concomitant heart malformations in 18 (3.73%) patients. Associated intraoperative findings were Meckel's diverticulum in 5 (1.03%) and congenital cyst of the right ovary in 1 (0.21%) patient. The clinical course was affected by concomitant malformations: incomplete bowel rotation in 10 (2.07%) and internal abdominal hernia in 2 (0.42%). The clinical manifestations and course of Hirschsprung's disease primarily depend on the presence of accompanying developmental defects, which may prevail during the examination due to vital disorders. In the clinical course of Hirschsprung's disease, it is necessary to distinguish between typical and atypical forms. Typical clinical symptoms were in 444 (91.93%), and atypical in 39 (8.07%).

Navigating Inconclusive Upper-Gastrointestinal Series in Infantile Bilious Vomiting: A Case Series on Intestinal Malrotation.

BACKGROUND Bilious vomiting in a child potentially portends the dire emergency of intestinal malrotation with volvulus, necessitating prompt surgical management, with differentials including small-bowel atresia, duodenal stenosis, annular pancreas, and intussusception. Although the upper-gastrointestinal series (UGI) is the diagnostic investigation of choice, up to 15% of the studies are inconclusive, thereby posing a diagnostic challenge. CASE REPORT We report a case series of 3 children referred for bilious vomiting, whose initial UGI was inconclusive and who were eventually confirmed to have intestinal malrotation at surgery. The first child was a female born at 37 weeks with antenatally diagnosed situs inversus and levocardia, who developed bilious vomiting on day 1 of life. The duodenojejunal flexure (DJ) could not be visualized on the UGI because of faint opacification on first pass of the contrast and subsequent overlap with the proximal jejunal loops. The second child was a male born at 36 weeks, presenting at age 4 months with bilious vomiting of 2 days duration. The third child was a female born at 29 weeks, presenting with bilious aspirates on day 3 of life. UGI for all 3 showed persistent hold-up of contrast at the proximal duodenum with no opacification of the distal duodenum or small bowel.Adjunctive techniques during the UGI and ultrasound examination helped achieve a preoperative diagnosis of malrotation in these children. CONCLUSIONS Application of diagnostic adjuncts to an inconclusive initial UGI may help elucidate a preoperative diagnosis of intestinal malrotation in infantile bilious vomiting.

Intestinal Atresias: A Ten-Year Evaluation of Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal atresia is a common cause of neonatal bowel obstruction. Atresias are often associated with other congenital anomalies. The purpose of the study was to evaluate associated anomalies, operative management, and postoperative outcomes of infants with intestinal atresia. METHODS: A review of patients presenting to a single free-standing children's hospital from March 2012 through February 2022 was performed. The variables examined were type of atresia, additional congenital anomalies, type of operative intervention, and postoperative outcomes. Standard statistical methods were utilized. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients with intestinal atresia were identified and several of these patients had multiple atresias. Isolated duodenal atresia patients were the most common (49.3%), followed by jejunal (32%) and ileal (12%). Mixed atresias were rare at 4%, with isolated pyloric and colonic also rare at 1.3% each. Malrotation was associated with 13% of patients and equally associated with duodenal and jejunoileal atresias. A low percentage (3%) of intestinal atresias was seen in conjunction with gastroschisis and concomitant malrotation. A majority of infants with duodenal atresia underwent standard duodenoduodenostomy (19% laparoscopic, 81% open). In infants with jejunoileal atresia, most underwent resection with primary anastomosis. A tapering enteroplasty was performed primarily in 13% of atresias. There were no significant differences noted in time to first feed or length of stay between those with and without tapering enteroplasty. Eleven percent of patients required subsequent intervention for stricture or small bowel obstruction. There was one death in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other literature, duodenal atresia was the most common type of intestinal atresia. However, we demonstrated that malrotation was equally associated with duodenal and jejunoileal atresias while prior reports had shown a higher association with duodenal atresia. In our patient population, the use of tapering enteroplasty did not appear to be associated with outcomes. Overall, these infants have a low morbidity and mortality rate with a rare need for reoperation.

A rare occurrence of multiple intestinal atresias, with successful one-procedure resection and primary anastomosis.

SUMMARY: Intestinal atresia is a common cause of neonatal bowel obstruction. Many theories exist relating to intestinal atresia, though the best explanation is related to vascular events. Duodenal atresia is thought to be due to a developmental anomaly of the intestine. A rare combination of concomitant Type III duodenal atresia, Type III B jejunal atresia, and Type I ileal atresia is presented. The differing pathogenesis of these atresias makes the condition exceptionally rare. This patient was successfully treated, via explorative laparotomy, with resection of the atretic segments and two primary anastomoses, without the need for enterostomies or stents.

Colonic atresia and hirschsprung disease: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Colon atresia is one of the rarest congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract, with an incident range of between 1 in 10,000 and 66,000 live births. Type I colonic atresia affects only the mucosal layer of the intestine and spares the intestinal wall and mesentery. Hirschsprung Disease is a rare association of Colon atresia and is usually diagnosed as a complication of atresia treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: This study reports a 14-h term white middle-eastern female infant with type I transverse colonic atresia complicated by the association of Hirschsprung disease and provides a brief literature review of the topic. She presented with poor feeding, weakness, and failure to pass meconium, and her abdominal X-ray showed complete distal bowel obstruction. The presence of Hirschsprung disease was realized after complications of atresia surgery. The infant underwent a total of three surgeries involving an end-to-end anastomosis of the atresia, colostomy formation following anastomosis leakage, and Hirschsprung surgery. The patient ultimately expired. CONCLUSIONS: The association between colonic atresia and Hirschsprung disease poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Considering Hirschsprung disease as a possible association in colon atresia patients can facilitate proper decision-making in the course of treating colon atresia cases and achieving better outcomes.

Type II Congenital Pyloric Atresia with Desquamative Enteropathy Diagnosed Postoperatively: A Case Report.

Congenital pyloric atresia (CPA) is a rare condition that presents as gastric outlet obstruction in the first few weeks of life. Isolated CPA typically carries a good prognosis but when associated with other conditions such as multiple intestinal atresia or epidermolysis bullosa (EB), the outcomes are generally poor. This report describes a four-day-old infant who presented with nonbilious emesis and weight loss in whom an upper gastrointestinal contrast study revealed gastric outlet obstruction determined to be consistent with pyloric atresia. The patient underwent operative repair via Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty. Postoperatively, the patient continued to have severe diarrhea and was found to have desquamative enteropathy though had no skin findings consistent with EB. This report emphasizes consideration of CPA as a differential diagnosis for neonates presenting with nonbilious emesis and demonstrates the association between CPA and desquamative enteropathy without EB.

[Delayed complication of surgical treatment of duodenal atresia in neonatal period]. / Pozdnee oslozhnenie khirurgicheskogo lecheniya atrezii dvenadtsatiperstnoi kishki v neonatal'nom periode.

We report a 48-year-old woman who underwent surgery in early neonatal period for duodenal atresia and developed subsequent diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding and malnutrition developed over the past 5 years. Inflammatory and cicatricial lesions of gastrojejunostomy formed for congenital duodenal obstruction following annular pancreas required reconstructive surgery.

The profile and outcome of small bowel atresia at Universitas Academic Hospital.

BACKGROUND: In patients with intestinal atresia, associated congenital anomalies and prematurity are the main predictors of mortality in high-income countries (HIC). In low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), late referrals and lack of resources contribute to mortality. This study aims to describe the outcome of small bowel atresia at a tertiary institution in a LMIC. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive and analytical study was done on all neonates admitted with small bowel atresia from 1 January 2010 to 31 October 2016. Birth demographics, status on arrival, atresia type, surgical interventions and clinical course were analysed in relation to outcomes including mortality. RESULTS: The study included 92 patients. Thirty-three patients had duodenal atresia and 59 jejunal atresia. Median gestation was 34 weeks, with average birth weight 2.2 kg. Seven were diagnosed antenatally and 13 (14.1%) were born in a tertiary institution. A cardiac congenital anomaly was present in 43.5%. Late referrals comprised 72.8%. Sixty per cent were dehydrated and 55.4% were septic on arrival. The median age at surgery was 7.5 days after being admitted, for a median of 2 days. The median age reaching full feeds was 18 days, and 28.6% had a feeding intolerance. The median number of septic episodes were two and the median length of stay 28 days. Of the 92 patients, 8.7% were palliated and 10.9% died. Mortality was strongly associated with prematurity and sepsis with hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Despite late referrals, our mortality was comparable to HICs. We overcame this burden due to access to resources, sophisticated equipment and a low surgical complication rate. The length of stay could be decreased with a feeding protocol and discharge goals.

BISHOP-KOOP OSTOMY REVISITED: A "TEST-DRIVE" INTESTINAL DIVERSION FOR CHILDREN WITH SUSPECTED BOWEL DYSMOTILITY.

BACKGROUND: Bishop-Koop ileostomy has been widely used in pediatric patients with the intention of including as much bowel as possible in the intestinal transit early in the management of children with meconium ileus and intestinal atresia. In recent years, we have been using it as an alternative to test the distal bowel function before closure of a previously constructed ostomy in selected children with questionable distal bowel motility. AIMS: The aim of this study was to present our experience with this alternative use of the Bishop-Koop ostomy. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional retrospective review of hospital records, combined with a comprehensive literature review. RESULTS: Seven children were included: five had suspected aganglionosis, one had gastroschisis complicated with ileal atresia, and one had a colonic stricture secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis. In this short series of patients, motility of the distal bowel was correctly assessed in six patients and partially correctly assessed in one patient. One patient did not pass stools per anus after the Bishop-Koop, and he was later confirmed to have Hirschsprung disease. Four patients resumed normal evacuation pattern after closure of the Bishop-Koop. One patient had a Bishop-Koop colostomy because of recurrent enterocolitis after a transanal pull-through. Although he evacuated normally while having the colostomy, the diarrhea recurred after the ostomy was closed. An additional patient, with a severe behavioral problem, did not evacuate per anus after her colostomy was transformed in a Bishop-Koop-type ostomy, despite the apparent presence of normal ganglia in the bowel wall. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the present series allow us to affirm that Bishop-Koop-type ostomy is a safe and efficient procedure that can be used to assess distal bowel function before a definitive transit reconstruction, in children with uncertain motility issues.

Primary anastomosis is the preferred surgical approach for proximal intestinal atresia: a retrospective 20-year analysis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the outcomes of primary anastomosis (PA) and enterostomy as treatments for intestinal atresia in neonates to identify the factors influencing the choice of modality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-centre analysis of all neonates with intestinal atresia between 2000 and 2020 and measured the clinical outcomes. We performed logistic regression to identify factors that influenced the choice of surgical approach. RESULTS: Of 62 intestinal atresia neonates, 71% received PA. There were no significant differences in gestation, gender, age at operation, birth weight, or body weight at operation between the PA and enterostomy groups. PA reoperation was not required for 78% of patients, and the PA group had shorter hospital stays. Complications, operative time, duration on parenteral nutrition, time to full enteral feeding were comparable in both groups. Upon multivariate regression analysis, surgeons favoured PA in proximal atresia [Odds ratio (OR) 38.5, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.558-579] while enterostomy in smaller body size [OR 2.75, CI 0.538-14.02] and lower Apgar score [OR 1.1, CI 0.07-17.8]. Subgroup analysis in these patient groups demonstrated comparable outcomes with both surgical approaches. CONCLUSION: Both surgical approaches achieved comparable outcomes, but PA was associated with short hospital stays and the avoidance of stoma-related complications, and reoperation was generally not required. This surgical approach was suitable for patients with proximal atresia, but enterostomy remained a sensible choice for patients with smaller body sizes and lower Apgar scores.

Gastroschisis Complicated by Colonic Atresia.

INTRODUCTION: Gastroschisis with colonic atresia is a rare association. Due to its rarity and variation in presentation, no standardized surgical treatment option exists. Complicated gastroschisis is associated with a higher morbidity and mortality than intestinal atresia or gastroschisis alone. METHODS: This is a case report of a neonate with congenital gastroschisis. On day of life 1, a silo was placed. On day of life 4, the upper portion of silo contents appeared more congested with dusky discoloration and the patient was oliguric. She was taken to the operating room for exploration. RESULTS: The patient required resection of the terminal ileum and an atretic portion of the cecum due to necrosis. Four days later, primary closure of the gastroschisis defect was performed with creation of an end ileostomy. Elective ileostomy takedown was performed 5 months later. She returned to the operating room for anastomotic revision and gastrostomy tube placement for intestinal dysmotility and prolonged ileus. Tube feedings were discontinued 3 months post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Gastroschisis with intestinal atresia is associated with increased hospital length of stay, longer duration of parenteral nutrition, more severe intestinal dysfunction, increased surgical complications, and higher mortality than gastroschisis or intestinal atresia alone. With associated colonic atresia, loss of a significant length of bowel due to necrosis, including the ileocecal region, is almost unavoidable. An already compromised blood supply to the atretic bowel is further impaired by a tight abdominal wall defect and postnatal increases in gravitational force. Complicated gastroschisis remains a complex surgical challenge requiring further discussion.

Intestinal atresia and necrotizing enterocolitis: Embryology and anatomy.

The primitive gut originates at week 3 of gestation from the endoderm, with posterior incorporation of the remaining embryo layers. Wnt, Notch and TLR4 pathways have been shown to play central roles in the correct development of the intestine. The classical hypothesis for intestinal atresia development consists of failure in bowel recanalization or a vascular accident with secondary bowel reabsorption. These have been challenged due to the high frequency of associated malformations, and furthermore, with the discovery of molecular pathways and genes involved in bowel formation and correlated defects producing atresia. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has a multifactorial pathogenesis with prematurity being the most important risk factor; therefore, bowel immaturity plays a central role in NEC. Some of the same molecular pathways involved in gut maturation have been found to correlate with the predisposition of the immature bowel to develop the pathological findings seen in NEC.

The role of preserved bowel and mesentery fixation in apple-peel intestinal atresia.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the feasibility of mesoplasty with end-to-side anastomosis in the treatment of different apple-peel mesenteric defects with high jejunal atresia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 42 premature infants admitted to the hospital between 2014 and 2021. Prenatal ultrasound scans revealed bowel dilatation. The patients experienced vomiting after birth and produced white or no meconium. Plain radiography showed double or triple bubble signs and the patients underwent emergency laparotomy. High jejunal atresia with different apple-peel atresia appearance was discovered intraoperatively, involving mobilization of the ileocecal region. Patients received end-to-side anastomosis between the enlarged blind pouch and atretic bowel, as well as mesoplasty. A jejunal feeding tube was placed trans-nasally. Patients were discharged after achieving full enteral feeding. We also reviewed the literature on the subject. RESULTS: Three patients died and 39 survived. The discharged patients were followed up for 12 months, and none showed post-operative complications such as intestinal obstruction, malnutrition, or chronic diarrhea. All surviving patients reached the expected height and weight for children of the same age. CONCLUSION: For cases of high jejunal atresia with apple-peel intestinal atresia, mesoplasty may be a good option to avoid postoperative volvulus.

[Pediatric Intestinal Failure, 10 years of experience from a specialized unit]. / Insuficiencia Intestinal Pediátrica, 10 años de experiencia en una Unidad de Cuidados Especializados.

Intestinal Failure (IF) includes the loss of functional intestinal mass and the requirement of long term Parenteral Nutrition (PN) to achieve the development and growth in childhood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience in a specialized unit for pediatric patients with IF, describing the clinical cha racteristics of those admitted from November 2009 to December 2019. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retros pective and descriptive review from clinical records of 24 cases that matched the inclusion criteria. The following variables were recorded: gender, neonatal history, origin unit, patient age and anthropome tric diagnosis at admission to the unit, cause of IF, hospital stay, anthropometric data and parenteral nutrition dependency at discharge. In those patients with a diagnosis of short bowel syndrome (SBS), the cause of intestinal resection and the characteristics of the intestinal remnant were identified: ana tomical classification, remnant length (defining ultra-short as < 25 cm), presence of ileocecal valve, and characteristics of the colon. RESULTS: The median age at admission was 7.8 months. Seventeen cases were preterm. Regarding IF etiology, 10 patients presented SBS, 6 patients with Intestinal Neuromus cular Disease (INMD), 7 children with SBS associated with INMD, and 1 case of intestinal lymphan giectasia. Within the SBS etiologies found in this group, intestinal atresia (8 cases) and necrotizing enterocolitis (9 patients) were the main causes with a similar proportion. Eight patients had no ileo cecal valve. According to anatomical classification, 1 case was Type I, 8 were Type II, and 8 were Type III. Related to bowel length, 3 were ultrashort, besides being Type II; in those with > 40 cm of bowel length, 7 were Type III. Overall average hospital stay was 456.4 days. Enteral autonomy was achieved in 16 patients and 8 cases required home parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: IF requires life support, PN and prolonged hospital stay. The principal etiology of IF is SBS caused by congenital intestinal atresia and necrotizing enterocolitis. Nevertheless, the high frequency of INMD could be attributed to the local protocol analysis. Most of our patients had poor prognosis factors, however, the management by a specialized team allowed the achievement of enteral autonomy in 66.7% of cases.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgical Repair of Duodenal Atresia: A NSQIP-Pediatric Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia in neonates has gained popularity among some pediatric surgeons. Single-center studies suggest comparable short-term outcomes to open surgery. The purpose of this study was to utilize a large, multi-institutional pediatric dataset to examine 30-day post-operative outcomes by operative approach for newborns who underwent duodenal atresia repairs. METHODS: We identified neonates aged ≤1 wk in the 2016-2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric -database that underwent a laparoscopic or open repair for duodenal atresia. Preoperative characteristics were compared between operative approaches. Postoperative complications, operative time, postoperative length of stay (LOS), and supplemental nutrition at discharge were assessed using multivariate regressions. RESULTS: There were 267 neonates who met inclusion criteria. There were 233 (87%) infants who underwent open repairs and 34 (13%) who underwent laparoscopic repairs. Ten (29%) children who had laparoscopy were converted to open. After adjusting for confounding, laparoscopy was associated with an increase in operative time by 65 min (95% confidence interval 45-87 min, P < 0.001) but a five-day shorter LOS (95% confidence interval -9 to -2, P = 0.006) when compared to laparotomy. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications or supplemental nutrition at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that laparoscopic repairs of duodenal atresia are associated with shorter postoperative LOS but longer operative times when compared to open repairs. Although the conversion rate to laparotomy remained relatively high, the laparoscopic approach was associated with comparable 30-day postoperative outcomes.

Intestinal Atresias.

Intestinal atresia is a form of congenital bowel obstruction that requires operative repair in the early neonatal period. Duodenal atresia and jejunoileal (JI) atresia are appropriately seen as distinct entities. Both can be suspected with fetal imaging, which can assist with prenatal counseling of families. Duodenal atresia is more commonly associated with comorbidities, whereas JI atresia is more often an isolated finding. Surgical repair is essential and is typically well tolerated. Although it may take time to achieve intestinal function postoperatively, these infants are usually able to tolerate full feeds after resolution of the ileus. Excellent short- and long-term outcomes for isolated duodenal atresia and JI atresia are expected.

Dual duodenojejunostomies in the repair of megaduodenum, duodenal stenosis and prior missed diagnosis of annular pancreas.

Duodenal stenosis and atresia are some of the most common forms of congenital bowel obstruction. The gold standard approach to treatment is duodenoduodenostomy, while rare, gastrojejunostomy and duodenojejunostomies may still be used. We report a case of a 7-year-old male presenting with annular pancreas with duodenal stenosis that was diagnosed at birth as primary duodenal atresia and repaired by gastrojejunostomy with a Braun enteroenterostomy. Through successful reoperation with dual duodenojejunostomy and subsequent management, we treated the sequelae of the initial repair, including megaduodenum. Regions of duodenal obstruction must have direct anastomotic repair to prevent subsequent issues related to dysmotility. Otherwise, further surgical intervention and long-term medical management, such as the novel strategy reported, may be necessary.

Predictors of Survival: A Retrospective Review of Gastroschisis and Intestinal Atresia in Rwanda.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal surgical diseases are prime examples of the global disparity in surgical access and outcomes, with survival for conditions like gastroschisis reaching above 95% in high-income settings but usually fatal in low-income settings. This study aims to examine outcomes and predictors of mortality in patients with two specific neonatal surgical conditions that often require early transfer and prolonged inpatient care (gastroschisis and intestinal atresia) at Rwanda's main pediatric referral hospital. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective chart review of neonates with gastroschisis and intestinal atresia was conducted between January 2016 and June 2019. Abstracted data included demographics, referral history, admission interventions, operative details, in-hospital complications, nutrition patterns, length of stay, and mortality. Daily logs were created to evaluate feeding status, infection status, and antibiotic usage. Descriptive and univariate analysis was conducted, with the primary outcome being survival to hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients met inclusion criteria (82% gastroschisis [n = 92] and 18% intestinal atresia [n = 20]). Median age at arrival was 0 d (GS) [IQR 0-1 d] and 8.5 d (IA) [IQR 4-10 d] (P < 0.0001). Survival to discharge was 22.8% (GS) (n = 21) and 60% (IA) (n = 12) with a mean length of stay of 28.3 d (GS) and 18.4 d (IA). The median number of days to initiation of oral feeds was 8.5 d [IQR 7-11] for gastroschisis survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal surgical conditions that require early transfer and prolonged nutritional intervention are challenging in low-resource settings, but through treatment by a comprehensive pediatric surgical service, improving survival is possible.

Meconium peritonitis: A 22-year review in a tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND: Meconium peritonitis (MP) is a sterile, chemical peritonitis resulting from in-utero fetal bowel perforation. Severe cases may lead to serious morbidities and mortalities. OBJECTIVE: To review the common antenatal ultrasound abnormalities associated with MP, and identify radiological and clinical prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all neonates with MP from January 1997 to December 2019 treated in our hospital was performed. Antenatal ultrasound findings, clinical presentations and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-five neonates (17 males, 18 females) were included in the study. Thirty-two (91.4%) attended antenatal screening, and 27 (84.4%) of them had abnormalities identified on antenatal ultrasound. The most common abnormality was polyhydramnios (43.8%). Nineteen (54.3%) patients were inborn. Twenty (57.1%) patients were born prematurely. Laparotomy was required in 85.7% of patients. The median time to laparotomy was shorter in the inborn group [1 day (0-9 days) vs 4 days (2-34 days), p = 0.001], but the duration of post-operative hospital stay was comparable [71 days (16-423 days) vs 73.5 days (23-231 days)]. However, such duration was found to be significantly longer in the pre-term group when compared to full-term [58.5 days (16-89 days) vs 85 (21-423 days), p = 0.01]. The most common pathology was small bowel atresia and there were two mortalities. CONCLUSION: Due to the advancement in prenatal detection, pediatric anesthesia, intensive care and surgical techniques, the morbidity and mortality of MP has much decreased. Effective multi-disciplinary antenatal counseling facilitated the perinatal management of MP and resulted in comparable prognosis and outcome in inborn and outborn neonates.