pediatrics
Meconium Plug Syndrome
Introduction
Meconium plug syndrome is colonic obstruction caused by thick meconium. Diagnosis is based on radiographic contrast enema and sometimes testing for Hirschsprung disease (because failure to pass meconium in the first 24 hours occurs in Hirschsprung disease as well). Treatment is radiographic contrast enema; surgical decompression is rarely required. Meconium plug syndrome usually occurs in infants who are otherwise healthy and has an incidence of 1 in 500 live births. Meconium plug syndrome is generally regarded as a functional immaturity of the colon, resulting in failure to pass the first stool. 