A Case of in Utero Meconium Peritonitis in a Fetus Delivered to a Woman Diagnosed with Primary Extrahepatic Biliary Atresia

Abstract

Fetal meconium peritonitis was detected at 20 weeks gestation in a 22-year-old primigravid woman suffering from primary extrahepatic biliary atresia. She was awaiting a liver transplant because of recurrent life threatening cholangitis when she found out that she was pregnant. On the 20 weeks detailed scan, the fetus showed severe echogenic bowel and significant ascites. There was a suspicion that the baby might have a similar condition as the mother has but this was never proved. The mother had a preterm labour at 33 weeks of gestation and she had a spontaneous vaginal delivery. The neonate was admitted to special care baby unit where she made a good progress and was discharged home 16 days later. J Med Cases. 2011;2(1):15-17 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc94w