Three Cases of Meconium Disease : Meconium Ileus without Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas

Abstract

We have experienced three cases of meconium obsruction without cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. These 3 cases are considered to correspond to meconium disease of Rickham or meconium plug syndrome of Clatworthy. From the standpoints of diagnosis and treatment, we thought it the worthwhile to classify meconium obstruction without mucoviscidosis into small intestine type and the colon type depending upon the site of the obstruction. All these 3 cases we had experienced were 2-day-old females. By the preoperative and intraoperative findings, the differential diagnosis of meconium disease from meconium ileus was difficult. However, mucoviscidosis was ruled out in all three cases by trypain activity test of meconium and duodenal juice and by sweat test. All cases underwent surgery. Two were cured, but one died of pulomaonary disease at 4 months after surgery although the obstruction was successtully relieved.