Imperforate anus (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.

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.

• 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

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

Directions to Hospitals Treating imperforate anus

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

With treatment, the outcome of imperforate anus is usually good. The prognosis depends on primary fecal continence.

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

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