Saving a newborn with meconium ileus thanks to the “rapid” collaboration between two hospitals in the International Hospital System – Hàng Kênh Corporation
Recently, a case of meconium ileus in a newborn was successfully managed thanks to the timely and coordinated efforts between Hai Phong International General Hospital – Vinh Bao and Hai Phong International Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.
The mother, V.T .T .T, who was pregnant for the second time and had a previous cesarean section, was indicated for a cesarean delivery when the pregnancy reached term. The baby was born weighing 3,100g, cried well, and appeared healthy. However, just a few minutes later, the baby showed signs of vomiting green fluid – a warning sign of potential gastrointestinal obstruction.
Recognizing that this could be a neonatal surgical condition requiring early intervention, the on-call team at Vinh Bao quickly assessed, provided initial treatment, and organized a safe transfer for the baby to Hai Phong International Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital – a specialized unit for pediatric surgery and neonatal resuscitation within the same system.
The baby underwent a comprehensive examination, emergency testing, and imaging diagnosis. Signs of vomiting green fluid, passing a small amount of green stool, along with X-ray images suggested a low-level intestinal obstruction, leading the neonatal – pediatric team to diagnose: suspected intestinal obstruction due to meconium plug / neonatal enteritis.
Immediately after the consultation, the child was indicated for emergency surgery. The operation was performed by a highly experienced pediatric surgical team: cleaning the intestinal lumen, relieving the obstruction caused by thick meconium, and examining the entire intestinal loop. Fortunately, no accompanying congenital malformations were found, and the surgery went smoothly. The baby was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for continued monitoring.
Thanks to timely intervention, the child recovered quickly: resumed breastfeeding, stable digestion, and the condition of vomiting green fluid disappeared. After 13 days of treatment, the baby was fit for discharge in a healthy condition.
