Meconium ileus

Meconium ileus occurs in about 10 percent of all infants born with cystic fibrosis (CF).  Babies with meconium ileus usually have symptoms shortly after birth including vomiting, not being able to have bowel movements and swollen tummies. 

Meconium is a material consisting of bile, water, and debris shed from the lining of the intestine during the time the baby spends in the womb. It is usually passed within a few hours after delivery. However, in newborns with CF, meconium is thicker and stickier than normal meconium. This thick and sticky meconium can create a blockage in the terminal ileum or part of the large intestine called the right colon. If the infant does not respond to increased fluids, emergency surgery may be necessary.