Does prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis have the better recovery? A single-center over 10 years of experience
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In brief
In brief
This 10-year retrospective study of 71 infants with meconium peritonitis found that prenatal diagnosis was associated with longer operative times, hospital stays, and delayed bowel function recovery compared to postnatal diagnosis. However, mortality rates and complication frequencies were similar between groups, suggesting prenatal detection does not worsen overall prognosis despite increased surgical complexity.
- Prenatal diagnosis of meconium peritonitis does not improve outcomes compared to postnatal diagnosis in this 71-patient cohort.
- Prenatally diagnosed cases had longer operation times, hospital stays, and delayed return of bowel function versus postnatal diagnosis.
- Mortality, complication rates, and long-term prognosis were similar between prenatal and postnatal diagnosis groups.
- Prenatal detection may lead to increased surgical complexity without clear clinical benefit in meconium peritonitis management.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
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.