Ilium is the last part of the intestine of a newborn child and when this ilium is blocked by a thick meconium it results in meconium ileus. There are many hospitals which provide Meconium ileus treatment in Siliguri. You can get your child treated as early as possible to avoid any fatality.
In most cases, it is seen that meconium ileus is caused due to cystic fibrosis. This condition can be diagnosed by the doctor using imaging tests. The treatment of this condition mainly depends on its severity and typically involves enemas to flush out the meconium which is the first poop of the newborn.
Meconium is generally thicker, stickier and darker than the normal poop and is formed when the newborn swallows some amount of amniotic fluid which surrounds your baby inside the womb at the time of fetal development. The small intestine of your baby absorbs the water part of the amniotic fluid when it passes through it. Any newborn baby normally passes their first poop within 24-49 hours after birth.
In most cases, it is seen that the meconium ileus is caused by cystic fibrosis. This condition is sometimes diagnosed before the birth of the baby by sighting some signs of blockage at the time of prenatal ultrasound. In most cases, the meconium ileus is diagnosed after the baby is born. This condition is detected based on certain symptoms such as
- Family members suffering from cystic fibrosis in the past.
- At the newborn screening test your baby is tested positive for cystic fibrosis.
Symptoms of meconium ileus
The main sign of meconium ileus is when your baby does not pass the first poop within 24-48 hours. Some of the other symptoms of meconium ileus include abdominal swelling and vomiting. The baby may suffer from difficulty breathing due to swelling. Some of the other symptoms include-
- Redness
- Fever
- Shock
- Tenderness
Test for diagnosing meconium ileus
Your healthcare provider will suggest an abdominal X-ray if any signs of meconium ileus are suspected. With the help of an X-ray loops of the small intestine can be seen in an enlarged form. Soap-like bubbles are seen in the baby’s intestine in the case when the meconium is mixed with the swallowed air. In case of complete obstruction, there will be no presence of air in the rectum of the baby.
Surgical intervention
In case the meconium ileus is complex in your newborn it becomes very important for immediate surgery. However, if the meconium ileus is simple then your healthcare provider may use an enema to wash the blockage. Surgeries are generally performed to avoid any kind of complications in the newborn baby such as Perforation and peritonitis.
You can go to the best laparoscopic surgeon in Siliguri to get your child treated for this condition using the minimally invasive method. Bowel resection is a type of surgical method used by doctors to bring the small intestine parts from the abdominal wall surface creating an ileostomy. This is a temporary method and the bowels are again reconnected when the ileus of the child is gone completely.
Children who have to undergo surgery for meconium ileus require intensive post-operative care by experienced nurses including close monitoring regarding any signs of the infection, nutrition support bowel function and recovery.
Meconium ileus can occur in the newborn as a result of obstruction in the small intestine. You can go for a meconium ileus treatment in Siliguri to get relief for your child from this condition. Sometimes in case of complications, surgeries are conducted by the doctor but for simple meconium, the doctors try to wash the blockage with the help of an enema.
