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imperforate anus; anorectal malformation; anal atresia
Epidemiology:
- occurs in about 1 out of 5,000 infants
Pathology:
- rectum may end in a blind pouch that does not connect with the colon
- rectum may have openings to the urethra, bladder, base of the penis or scrotum in boys, or vagina in girls
- may be stenosis of the anus or no anus
- associated with an increased incidence of other congenital anomalies, together the pneumomov VACTERL:
- V - Vertebral anomalies
- A - Anal atresia
- C - Cardiovascular anomalies
- T - Tracheoesophageal fistula
- E - Esophageal atresia
- R - Renal &/or radial anomalies L - Limb defects
Clinical manifestations:
- baby does not pass first stool within 24-48 hours of birth
- missing or moved opening to the anus
- stool passes out of the vagina, base of penis, scrotum, or urethra
- swollen belly area
Management:
- urgent surgery to correct the defect
- perineal anoplasty
- colostomy
General
anorectal malformation
References
- PubMed Health: Imperforate anus
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002132/
- Wikipedia: Imperforate anus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperforate_anus