Meconium obstruction of prematurity in tiny babies - towards developing an international consensus

Graeme J Pitcher; Akio Kubota; Noelle E Younge; Christoph Bührer; C Michael Cotten; Katrin Mehler; Timothy J Boly; Riad Rahhal; Satoshi Kusuda; Matthew A Rysavy; Tiny Baby Collaborative Steering Committee

doi:10.1038/s41372-025-02395-x

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Meconium obstruction of prematurity in tiny babies - towards developing an international consensus

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Meconium obstruction of prematurity in tiny babies - towards developing an international consensus

Graeme J Pitcher, Akio Kubota, Noelle E Younge, Christoph Bührer, C Michael Cotten, Katrin Mehler, Timothy J Boly, Riad Rahhal, Satoshi Kusuda, Matthew A Rysavy, …

Journal of perinatology

09/08/2025

DOI: 10.1038/s41372-025-02395-x

PMID: 40925940

Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access

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Abstract

Intestinal perforation occurring in extremely low gestational age neonates is a devastating complication, associated with high mortality and morbidity. Multiple phenotypes of bowel perforation in premature infants have been described, with the most common being spontaneous, or isolated, intestinal perforation and perforated necrotizing enterocolitis. The purpose of this article is to summarize literature describing "meconium obstruction of prematurity", increasingly recognized as a distinct clinical phenotype in the smallest and most immature neonates. The goal of this review is to improve international recognition and understanding of this high-risk clinical condition. The lack of standardized nomenclature has been an obstacle to progress in understanding, preventing, and treating this important and more frequently encountered condition. The recognition of meconium obstruction requiring medical or surgical management is a clear distinguishing factor from other bowel pathologies of prematurity.

Acute inflammation

Intestinal diseases

Paediatrics

UIOWA OA Agreement

Details

Title: Subtitle: Meconium obstruction of prematurity in tiny babies - towards developing an international consensus
Creators: Graeme J Pitcher - University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Akio Kubota - Wakayama Medical University
Noelle E Younge - Duke University
Christoph Bührer - Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
C Michael Cotten - Duke University
Katrin Mehler - University Hospital Cologne
Timothy J Boly - University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Riad Rahhal - University of Iowa
Satoshi Kusuda - Tokyo Health Care University
Matthew A Rysavy - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Tiny Baby Collaborative Steering Committee
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of perinatology
DOI: 10.1038/s41372-025-02395-x
PMID: 40925940
NLM abbreviation: J Perinatol
ISSN: 0743-8346
eISSN: 1476-5543
Publisher: Springer Nature
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 09/08/2025
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Surgery; Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pancreatology, and Nutrition; Injury Prevention Research Center; Neonatology
Record Identifier: 9984961104402771

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