Imperforate anus (patient information)

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Overview
Imperforate anus is a birth defect that affects about one of every 5,000 newborns, and is somewhat more common among boys than girls. It is a congenital defect in which the opening to the anus is missing or blocked. The disorder may occur alone or together with other abnormalities of the rectum. The cause is unknown. The baby can be diagnosed by doctor's physical exam or images such as x-ray, CT and MRI. Surgery to reconstructe the anus is the effective treatment. With treatment, many children with imperforate anus go well.

How do I know if my baby has imperforate anus and what are the symptoms of imperforate anus?

 * Anal opening very near the vaginal opening in girls
 * Missing or misplaced opening to the anus
 * No passage of first stool within 24 - 48 hours after birth
 * Stool passes out of the vagina, base of penis, scrotum, or urethra
 * Swollen belly area

Who is at risk for imperforate anus?
The cause of imperforate anus is not clear. Many forms of imperforate anus are associated with other birth defects. It is a relatively common condition that occurs in about 1 out of 5,000 infants.

How to know your baby has imperforate anus?

 * Physical exam: A doctor can diagnose this condition during a physical exam. A fistula, an abnormal connection or opening between the intestine and bladder, suggest the existence imperforate anus. And, if stool is excreted through the urine or from the vagina, imperforate anus would be suspected.
 * Images: Images such as x-ray, ultrasound. CT, or MRI may be recommended to diagnose children with any form of anorectal malformation.

When to seek urgent medical care?
This disorder is usually discovered when the newborn infant is first examined. Call your baby's health care provider if the child that was treated for imperforate anus has abdominal pain or fails to develop any bowel control by the age of 3.

Treatment options
Surgery to reconstructe the anus is needed. At the same time, the infant should be checked for other defects, especially those affecting the genitals, urinary tract, and spine.

Where to find medical care for imperforate anus?
Directions to Hospitals Treating imperforate anus

Prevention of imperforate anus
As the cause is not clear, the prevention of imperforate anus is unknown.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
With treatment, the outcome of imperforate anus is usually good. The prognosis depends on primary fecal continence.

Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001147.htm

http://www.ucsfchildrenshospital.org/conditions/imperforate_anus/

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/929904-overview

http://www.dhmc.org/webpage.cfm?site_id=2&org_id=544&morg_id=0&sec_id=0&gsec_id=31530&item_id=31487