Meconium ileus, meconium peritonitis, and volvulus of ileum with cystic fibrosis of pancreas; report of two cases with review.

Abstract

CYSTIC fibrosis of the pancreas has been the subject of extensive investigation and speculation during the last 15 years. The disease may be manifest at birth, associated with meconium ileus or meconium peritonitis. More commonly, however, the pancreatic achylia and respiratory-tract infections typical of this disease occur during the first year of life, and it is this stage that is generally recognized. During early childhood, cystic fibrosis of the pancreas may produce symptoms not unlike those observed in the celiac syndrome. The type of clinical disease is determined by the period of life during which the pancreatic achylia occurs. REVIEW Meconium ileus is partial or complete intestinal obstruction in the newborn infant due to inability to pass meconium as a result of deficiency of pancreatic enzyme associated with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. The failure of pancreatic enzyme to reach the small intestine in sufficient quantities to dilute adequately and