Prognosis
90% of newborns with meconium ileus have cystic fibrosis, so after removal of the meconium by enema or surgery, an examination for cystic fibrosis should be performed by the so-called sweat test. With a frequency of 1:2,000, cystic fibrosis is the most common congenital severe metabolic disorder and is not curable. Newborns with a meconium ileus should also be examined for Hirschsprung’s disease. The prognosis for meconium graft syndrome or pseudomeconium ileus is very good, further episodes of ileus practically never occur.
