Complicated meconium ileus in a male neonate with cystic fibrosis: Case report

In about 10%-15% of instances, meconium ileus (MI) is the first sign of cystic fibrosis (CF). If a newborn exhibits signs of intestinal obstruction and does not pass meconium within a short period of time after birth, MI is suspected. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR), which is found on chromosome 7q31, is mutated in CF patients. A premature baby, 5 days old, with clinical signs that were typical of MI. These attempts failed in spite of conservative therapies, such as rectal injection of gastrografin. An ileostomy was made and meconium was manually evacuated after an exploratory laparotomy revealed the presence of a typical MI. At ≥1300 µg/L (reference value ≤1000 µg/L), immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) levels were increased, which prompted the start of oral pancreatic enzyme replacement treatment. Discharge at 65 days of age included referrals to primary care and a specialized CF clinic. The baby has since shown normal growth and development. This case highlights the rapid onset of CF in a premature infant with complex MI as the initial clinical presentation.