Meconium ileus is associated with which pancreatic condition?

Meconium ileus is associated with which pancreatic condition?

• A. Pancreatic insufficiency
• B. Pancreatic enzyme excess
• C. Pancreatic duct atresia
• D. Pancreatic cancer

Answer: (A)

Meconium ileus in newborns points to cystic fibrosis, where thick, sticky secretions block both the intestinal lumen and the pancreatic ducts. When the pancreatic ducts are obstructed and the pancreatic tissue becomes damaged, the exocrine pancreas cannot secrete enough digestive enzymes, leading to pancreatic insufficiency. This lack of enzymes, especially lipase, causes fat malabsorption and is a common pancreatic manifestation in CF. So the association is due to CF-related exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The other ideas—enzyme excess, duct atresia, or pancreatic cancer—don’t fit the neonatal CF picture: CF leads to enzyme deficiency from ductal obstruction, not excess, and these other conditions aren’t the typical link to meconium ileus.

Meconium ileus in newborns points to cystic fibrosis, where thick, sticky secretions block both the intestinal lumen and the pancreatic ducts. When the pancreatic ducts are obstructed and the pancreatic tissue becomes damaged, the exocrine pancreas cannot secrete enough digestive enzymes, leading to pancreatic insufficiency. This lack of enzymes, especially lipase, causes fat malabsorption and is a common pancreatic manifestation in CF. So the association is due to CF-related exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The other ideas—enzyme excess, duct atresia, or pancreatic cancer—don’t fit the neonatal CF picture: CF leads to enzyme deficiency from ductal obstruction, not excess, and these other conditions aren’t the typical link to meconium ileus.