Neonatal Med.  2015 May;22(2):84-91. 10.5385/nm.2015.22.2.84.

Impact of Meconium Obstruction-Related Risk Factors on Surgical Intervention in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

• Kwon HS
• Jung JM
• Lim YJ
• Nam SH
• Lim G
• Chung ML

• KMID: 2052166
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5385/nm.2015.22.2.84

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study investigated the risks of development and surgical complications of meconium obstruction (MO) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective medical record review of VLBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Haeundae Paik hospital and diagnosed with MO of prematurity (MOP) between March 2010 and August 2013.
RESULTS
Of 267 VLBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, 28 were diagnosed with MOP. Perinatal factors including maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension and small for gestational age were associated with MOP development (P<0.05). Over two-thirds of VLBW infants with MOP were successfully treated with a gastrografin enema. The remaining eight VLBW infants required surgery. Although small for gestational age was more frequent in the medical treatment group, specific risk factors associated with MOP development did not affect the need for surgical intervention.
CONCLUSION
MOP is common in VLBW infants, as most VLBW infants have risk factors for MOP. Identifying risk factors permits early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate medical treatment, reducing the necessity for surgery. However, the presence of specific risk factors does not increase risk of surgical complications.

Keyword

Meconium obstruction; Meconium plug syndrome; Very low birth weight infant

MeSH Terms

Diatrizoate Meglumine
Early Diagnosis
Enema
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced
Infant*
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
Intensive Care, Neonatal
Meconium*
Medical Records
Pregnancy
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors*
Diatrizoate Meglumine