Question
If a newborn has not passed meconium within three days after birth and exhibits abdominal distension and occasional vomiting, what could be the cause?
Answer
Abdominal distension in newborns combined with the absence of stool may be caused by Hirschsprung’s disease or congenital hypothyroidism. It is recommended to perform moderate abdominal massage on the baby and increase fluid intake. If the situation is severe, consider enema to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, a barium enema examination can help clarify the diagnosis. After confirmation, thorough preoperative preparation should be done to empty the bowel of accumulated stool, and improve the child’s overall nutritional status through saline enema and oral laxatives. Routine bowel preparation should be carried out, and efforts should be made to perform therapeutic surgery as soon as possible.