Viscosity and Origin of Meconium in Meconium Ileus.

Abstract

Meconium from a patient with meconium ileus was analyzed electrophoretically, ultracentrifugally and immunologically. In pH 8.6, ionic strength, 0.1 barbital buffer, 3 electrophoretic boundaries were observed. The largest component was human serum albumin. Analysis of normal human amniotic fluid by the above techniques showed the presence of human serum albumin and an electrophoretic pattern identical to that of the abnormal meconium. Both patterns were similar to that of human serum except for absence of gamma globulin. Addition of albumin to normal meconium resulted in a material indistinguishable from abnormal meconium. It is believed that amniotic fluid is the source of the proteins present in abnormal meconium.