OBJECTIVE: To study the causes, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of meconium peritonitis (MP) in infants. METHODS: The clinical data of 23 cases of MP was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: ①The most common cause of MP was intestinal atresia ( 30.4% ). ②The main clinical characteristics of MP were intraperitoneal calcification, and fibrosis with or without pseudocystformation. ③Surgery was the effective treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal atresia is the most common cause of MP in infants. Early diagnoisis, proper operative procedures and meticulous postoperative care are the important factors to increase the survival rate of patients with MP.