Fetal Meconium Peritonitis and Maternal Liver Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: 

There are five reported cases of fetal meconium peritonitis developing after episodes of maternal hepatitis. These cases demonstrate a potential association between severe maternal liver injury and subsequent fetal meconium peritonitis.

CASE: 

A 26-year-old primigravid woman developed acute liver failure 4 days after unilateral oophorectomy for ovarian torsion at 24 weeks of gestation. Her liver function gradually normalized with conservative management. She was readmitted for acute abdominal pain with elevated blood pressure at 29 weeks of gestation. An emergency cesarean delivery was performed for severe preeclampsia. Her neonate was noted to have a distended abdomen. Laparotomy and bowel resection were performed for meconium peritonitis and bowel perforation.

CONCLUSION: 

Fetal meconium peritonitis may develop after severe maternal liver disease. Thus, the latter may warrant heightened fetal surveillance.

In Brief

We report an association between severe maternal liver injury and subsequent fetal meconium peritonitis.