Pneumoperitoneum and free meconium without gastrointestinal perforation in a neonate.

A newborn was referred to our hospital because of poor feeding and abdominal distension and was found to have pneumoperitoneum on abdominal x-ray. At operation there was free intraperitoneal air with no free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. In addition there was free air and meconium retroperitoneally on the left side but there was no evidence of gastrointestinal perforation. This case is rare and unique in that no demonstrable cause for the free air and free meconium could be demonstrated.