Congenital anatomic gastrointestinal obstruction: prenatal diagnosis, morbidity and mortality

• Published in: Anales de pediatría (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 134 - 139
• Main Authors: Bustos Lozano, G, Orbea Gallardo, C, Domínguez García, O, Galindo Izquierdo, A, Cano Novillo, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.08.2006
• Subjects: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Obstruction - complications; Intestinal Obstruction - congenital; Intestinal Obstruction - diagnostic imaging; Intestinal Obstruction - mortality; Male; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
• ISSN: 1695-4033

To describe the morbidity and mortality associated with congenital gastrointestinal obstruction, assess the usefulness of prenatal diagnosis, and analyze the results in relation to the site of obstruction. We performed a retrospective case series study of 148 patients in a 13-year period (1990-2003). Sites of obstruction was classified into three groups: I) gastric, duodenal or jejunal; II) ileal or colonic; III) anorectal. There were 65 patients in group I, 38 in group II and 45 in group III. Surgery was performed in 137 patients. Trisomy was diagnosed in 15 patients, polymalformation syndrome in 16 patients, and cystic fibrosis in seven patients. More than one site of intestinal obstruction was found in 22 patients (15 %). Morbidity consisted of nosocomial sepsis in 32 %, necrotizing enterocolitis in 7 %, and short gut in 3.4 %. Prematurity (48 %) was associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Overall mortality was 14.2 %, mainly associated with other malformations and extraintestinal problems. When patients with other extraintestinal malformations were excluded, the highest mortality was found in group II (OR: 12.19; CI: 2.4-76.2). The overall sensitivity of prenatal diagnosis was 0.44 and the mean gestational age at diagnosis was 31.6 weeks (SD 5.2). According to the site of obstruction, sensitivity was 0.77 in group I, 0.39 in group II and 0.04 in group III. Prenatal diagnosis did not alter prognosis. Morbidity and mortality were strongly influenced by extraintestinal problems. The most severe intestinal complications were midgut volvulus and necrotizing enterocolitis. Prenatal diagnosis was late and showed good sensitivity only in group I.