Clinical and radiologic findings:
(1) neonate with evidence of bowel obstruction
(1a) failure to pass meconium
(1b) abdominal distention
(1c) bilious vomiting
(2) distended colon with an obstructing filling defect
(3) a diagnostic enema results in passage of a solid plug of inspissated meconium
(4) if no other process is present then colon function is normal afterwards
Risk factors for meconium plug formation:
(1) cystic fibrosis
(2) Hirschsprung's disease or a related disorder
(3) prematurity
(4) maternal treatment with magnesium sulfate
Any neonate with a meconium plug should be tested for cystic fibrosis and Hirschsprung's disease.
