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 baby’s 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.
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:
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:
These malformations will always require surgical repairby a Paediatric surgeon in single or multiple stage.
Depending on the type and severity these babies may require a stoma formation (a temporary diversion of stools from abdominal wall). The definitive surgery is usually performed at the age of 3-6 months.
Some of these patients can have continence related issues and might require long term bowel management programme.