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Does prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis have the better recovery? A single-center over 10 years of experience

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate whether infants with prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis (MP) have a poorer prognosis.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data from infants treated with surgery from January 2008 to December 2020 was conducted. The patients were divided into prenatal diagnosis group and postnatal diagnosis group based on the timing of diagnosis. The intraoperative and postoperative parameters of the two groups of patients were compared.

Results

A total of 71 cases of MP were included in the study, with 48 cases in the prenatal diagnosis group and 23 cases in the postnatal diagnosis group. The comparison of preoperative indicators between the two groups of patients showed no statistically significant differences in baseline (p > 0.05). Intraoperative indicators, including blood loss, anastomosis, retained intestinal tube length and excised intestinal tube length, showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, the postnatal diagnosis group had a significantly shorter operation time than the prenatal diagnosis group (p < 0.05). Postoperative indicators, including fasting time, albumin usage, complications, and abandonment or mortality rates, show no difference (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the postnatal diagnosis group exhibited significantly shorter hospital stay and time to first bowel movement compared to the prenatal diagnosis group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis is associated with increased surgical complexity, prolonged hospital stay, and delayed recovery of intestinal function. However, there is no evidence of higher mortality or more complications compared to infants diagnosed postnatally, and there is no significant difference in long-term prognosis.

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Data availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China

    Mingming Li, Chaoxiang Lu, Qi Wang & Qi Gao

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  1. Mingming Li
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  2. Chaoxiang Lu
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  3. Qi Wang
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Contributions

Chaoxiang Lu and Mingming Li conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. Qi Gao designed the data collection instruments, collected data, carried out the initial analyses, and reviewed. Qi Wang conceptualized and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Chaoxiang Lu.

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Li, M., Lu, C., Wang, Q. et al. Does prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis have the better recovery? A single-center over 10 years of experience. Pediatr Surg Int 40, 94 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-024-05682-4

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