Skip to main content

Congenital Problems of the Gastrointestinal Tract

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
  • 2742 Accesses

Abstract

Congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are relatively common, frequently diagnosed prenatally, and often require the attention of a neonatal surgeon for surgical correction. On occasion, such abnormalities may present with life-threatening complications necessitating urgent surgical intervention to prevent catastrophic consequences. This chapter provides an overview of the most common conditions encountered and those which require intervention as a matter of urgency. Typical presenting features, clinical findings, and treatment options are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kyyronen P, Himminki K. Gastro-intestinal atresia in Finland in 1970–1979, indicating time-place clustering. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1988;42:257–65.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Myers NA. Esophageal atresia: the epitome of modern surgery. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1974;54(6):277–87.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Spitz L, Kiely EM, Morecroft JA, Drake DP. Oesophageal atresia: at-risk groups for the 1990s. J Pediatr Surg. 1994;29(6):723–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hall N, Pierro A. Congenital problems of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Guandalini S, editor. Textbook of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. London: Taylor & Francis; 2004. p. 13–28.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Pierro A, Cozzi F, Colarossi G, Irving IM, Pierce AM, Lister J. Does fetal gut obstruction cause hydramnios and growth retardation? J Pediatr Surg. 1987;22(5):454–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sweed Y. Duodenal obstruction. In: Puri P, editor. Newborn surgery. 2nd ed. New York: Arnold; 2003. p. 423–33.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Menardi G. Duodenal atresia, stenosis and annular pancreas. In: Freeman NV, Burge DM, Griffiths DM, Malone PSJ, editors. Surgery of the newborn. 1st ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1994. p. 107–15.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bethell GS, Long AM, Knight M, Hall NJ, BAPS-CASS. One year outcomes of congenital duodenal obstruction - a population based study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2021;72(2):239–43. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000002921.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rode H, Millar AJW. Jejuno-ileal atresia and stenosis. In: Puri P, editor. Newborn surgery. 2nd ed. New York: Arnold; 2003. p. 445–56.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Louw JH, Barnard CN. Congenital intestinal atresia: observations on its origin. Lancet. 1955;2:1065.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Louw JH. Congenital intestinal atresia and stenosis in the newborn. Observations on its pathogenesis and treatment. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1959;25:209.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Grosfeld JL, Ballantine TV, Shoemaker R. Operative management of intestinal atresia and stenosis based on pathologic findings. J Pediatr Surg. 1979;14(3):368–75.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Rickham PP. Massive small intestinal resection in newborn infants. Hunterian lecture delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons of England on 13th April 1967. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1967;41(6):480–92.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Touloukian RJ, Smith GJ. Normal intestinal length in preterm infants. J Pediatr Surg. 1983;18(6):720–3.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hollwarth ME. Short bowel syndrome and surgical techniques for the baby with short intestines. In: Puri P, editor. Newborn surgery. 2nd ed. New York: Arnold; 2003. p. 569–76.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kluth D, Kaestner M, Tibboel D, Lambrecht W. Rotation of the gut: fact or fantasy? J Pediatr Surg. 1995;30(3):448–53.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Farber SJ. The relation of pancreatic achylia to meconium ileus. J Pediatr. 1944;24:387–92.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Del Pin CA, Czyrko C, Ziegler MM, Scanlin TF, Bishop HC. Management and survival of meconium ileus. A 30-year review. Ann Surg. 1992;215(2):179–85.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Fakhoury K, Durie PR, Levison H, Canny GJ. Meconium ileus in the absence of cystic fibrosis. Arch Dis Child. 1992;67(10):1204–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Murshed R, Spitz L, Kiely E, Drake D. Meconium ileus: a ten-year review of thirty-six patients. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 1997;7(5):275–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Kasai M. Treatment of biliary atresia with special reference to hepatic porto-enterostomy and its modifications. Prog Pediatr Surg. 1974;6:5–52.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Passarge E. The genetics of Hirschsprung’s disease. Evidence for heterogeneous etiology and a study of sixty-three families. N Engl J Med. 1967;276(3):138–43.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Orr JD, Scobie WG. Presentation and incidence of Hirschsprung’s disease. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1983;287(6406):1671.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Spouge D, Baird PA. Hirschsprung’s disease in large birth cohort. Teratology. 1985;32:171–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Puri P. Hirschsprung’s disease. In: Oldham TO, Colombani PM, Foglia RP, editors. Surgery of infants and children: scientific principles and practice. New York: Lippincott-Raven; 1997. p. 1277–99.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Brenner EC. Congenital defects of the anus and rectum. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1915;20:579–88.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Santulli TV. Treatment of imperforate anus and associated fistulas. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1952;95:601–14.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Trusler GA, Wilkinson RH. Imperforate anus: a review of 147 cases. Can J Surg. 1962;5:169–77.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Stephens FD, Smith ED. Classification, identification and assessment of surgical treatment of anorectal anomalies. Pediatr Surg Int. 1986;1:200–5.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Patwardhan N, Kiely EM, Drake DP, Spitz L, Pierro A. Colostomy for anorectal anomalies: high incidence of complications. J Pediatr Surg. 2001;36(5):795–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Pena A. Anorectal anomalies. In: Puri P, editor. Newborn surgery. 2nd ed. New York: Arnold; 2003. p. 535–52.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Ladd WE, Gross RE. Surgical treatment of duplication of the alimentary tract; enterogenous cysts, enteric cysts, or ileum duplex. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1940;70:295–307.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Duncan BW, Adzick NS, Eraklis A. Retroperitoneal alimentary tract duplications detected in utero. J Pediatr Surg. 1992;27(9):1231–3.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Goyert GL, Blitz D, Gibson P, Seabolt L, Olszewski M, Wright DJ, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of duplication cyst of the pylorus. Prenat Diagn. 1991;11(7):483–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Robert E, Kallen B, Harris J. The epidemiology of diaphragmatic hernia. Eur J Epidemiol. 1997;13(6):665–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. UK Collaborative ECMO Trail Group. UK collaborative randomised trial of neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Lancet. 1996;348(9020):75–82.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kieffer J, Sapin E, Berg A, Beaudoin S, Bargy F, Helardot PG. Gastroesophageal reflux after repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr Surg. 1995;30(9):1330–3.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Quirk JG Jr, Fortney J, Collins HB, West J, Hassad SJ, Wagner C. Outcomes of newborns with gastroschisis: the effects of mode of delivery, site of delivery, and interval from birth to surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1996;174(4):1134–8.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Dunn JC, Fonkalsrud EW, Atkinson JB. The influence of gestational age and mode of delivery on infants with gastroschisis. J Pediatr Surg. 1999;34(9):1393–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Sheth NP. Preterm and particularly, pre-labour cesarean section to avoid complications of gastroschisis. Pediatr Surg Int. 2000;16(3):229.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Perry H, Healy C, Wellesley D, et al. Intrauterine death rate in gastroschisis following the introduction of an antenatal surveillance program: retrospective observational study. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2017;43(3):492–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.13245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Jona JZ. The ‘gentle touch’ technique in the treatment of gastroschisis. J Pediatr Surg. 2003;38(7):1036–8.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kidd JN Jr, Jackson RJ, Smith SD, Wagner CW. Evolution of staged versus primary closure of gastroschisis. Ann Surg. 2003;237(6):759–64.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Schlatter M, Norris K, Uitvlugt N, Decou J, Connors R. Improved outcomes in the treatment of gastroschisis using a preformed silo and delayed repair approach. J Pediatr Surg. 2003;38(3):459–64.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Bradnock TJ, Marven S, Owen A, et al. Gastroschisis: one year outcomes from national cohort study. BMJ. 2011;343:d6749. Published 2011 Nov 15. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d6749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nigel J. Hall .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Hall, N.J. (2022). Congenital Problems of the Gastrointestinal Tract. In: Guandalini, S., Dhawan, A. (eds) Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80068-0_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80068-0_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80067-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80068-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics