Editing Meconium (section)

=== Failure to pass meconium ===
{{anchor|Meconium ileus}}
The failure to pass meconium is a symptom of several diseases including [[Hirschsprung's disease]] and [[cystic fibrosis]].

The meconium sometimes becomes thickened and congested in the [[intestines]], a condition known as '''meconium ileus'''. Meconium ileus is often the first sign of [[cystic fibrosis]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hutchinson |first=James H |name-list-style=vanc |date=1975 |title=Practical Paediatric Problems |edition=4th |publisher=Lloyd-Luke |location=London |isbn=0-85324-114-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/practicalpaediate4hutc/page/314 314] |url=https://archive.org/details/practicalpaediate4hutc/page/314 |url-access=registration}}</ref> In cystic fibrosis, the meconium can form a bituminous black-green mechanical obstruction in a segment of the ileum. Beyond this, there may be a few separate grey-white globular pellets. Below this level, the bowel is a narrow and empty micro-colon. Above the level of the obstruction, there are several loops of hypertrophied bowel distended with fluid. No meconium is passed, and abdominal distension and vomiting appear soon after birth. About 20% of cases of cystic fibrosis present with meconium ileus, while approximately 20% of one series of cases of meconium ileus did not have cystic fibrosis.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hekmatnia |first=Ali |name-list-style=vanc |title=Meconium Ileus |url=http://www.emedicine.com.radio/topic427.htm }}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The presence of meconium ileus is not related to the severity of the cystic fibrosis.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Peter G |name-list-style=vanc |date=1976 |title=Clinical Paediatric Surgery |edition=2nd |publisher=Blackwell |location=Oxford |isbn=0-632-00089-9 |pages=74–75}}</ref> The obstruction can be relieved in a number of ways.<ref>{{cite web |vauthors=Irish M |veditors=Minkes RK |date=29 December 2015 |title=Surgical Aspects of Cystic Fibrosis and Meconium Ileus |url=http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2995.htm |access-date=25 October 2007 |archive-date=30 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030430140856/http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2995.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Meconium ileus should be distinguished from meconium plug syndrome, in which a tenacious mass of mucus prevents the meconium from passing and there is no risk of intestinal perforation. Meconium ileus has a significant risk of intestinal perforation. In a barium enema, meconium plug syndrome shows a normal or dilated colon as compared to micro-colon in meconium ileus.