Anorectal Malformation

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Anorectal Malformation

• Imperforate Anus/Absent Anal Opening Treatment
  Delhi, India
• Imperforate anus or absent anal opening, also
  called anorectal malformation, is a birth defect
  that happens during the development of baby in
  early in pregnancy, when the baby is still
  developing. In this defect, the babys anal
  opening (where stool exits) and the rectum (the
  last part of the large intestine), do not develop
  properly, preventing the child from to pass
  stool.

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• The condition affects one in 5,000 babies, and it
  is slightly more common in males than in females.
  In a baby with anorectal malformation, any of the
  following can happen
• The anal opening is too small or in the incorrect
  location
• The anal opening is absent and the rectum enters
  other parts like urethra, the bladder, vestibule
  or vagina, which can lead to infections and bowel
  obstruction.
• The anal opening may be absent and the rectum,
  reproductive system, and urologic system form a
  single common opening called a cloaca, where both
  urine and stool are passed.
• At birth, doctors check the position and size
  of anal opening. New-borns pass their first stool
  within 48 hours of birth, so internal
  malformations are detected quickly. If an issue
  is found, we do a number of tests to better
  understand the problems and develop a long-term
  plan for the best outcome. This problem can be
  associated with other malformations. Various
  tests which are performed include
• X-rays of the abdomen to show how far the rectum
  reaches, and to see if there are any problems
  with the way the lower backbone has developed.
• Abdominal ultrasound to find any problems in
  kidney.

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• Spinal ultrasound or MRI to look at the spine for
  a tethered spinal cord, which can cause
  neurological problems, such as incontinence and
  leg weakness as the child grows.
• Echocardiogram to find heart defects.
• These malformations will always require surgical
  repair by pediatric surgeon in single or multiple
  stage, but the exact procedure will depend on the
  type and severity of the defect, any associated
  health conditions, and the childs overall
  health. Depending on the type and severity these
  babies may require a stoma formation (a temporary
  diversion of stools from abdominal wall).
• Even though corrective surgery may restore some
  function, important nerves and muscles that tell
  your child when the rectum is full of stool and
  help keep the contents inside may be missing or
  damaged, so we start a bowel management program
  when they reach toilet-training to help them
  become clean.