Intestinal atresia is the name for several conditions in which a baby’s intestines do not develop correctly. It can affect either the small or large intestine and can range from a blockage of the intestine to missing entire sections of the intestine. Intestinal atresia causes problems with the way a baby digests and absorbs nutrients. It is a condition that develops before a baby is born.
The types of intestinal atresia include:
- Pyloric atresia, which affects the pylorus, the opening between the stomach and small intestine (this type is very rare)
- Duodenal atresia , which affects the duodenum (the top part of the small intestine)
- Ileal atresia, which affects the ileum (the lower part of the small intestine)
- Jejunal atresia, which affects the jejunum (the middle part of the small intestine)
- Colonic atresia, which affects the colon (the large intestine)
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What are the signs and symptoms of intestinal atresia?
Symptoms start shortly after birth and can include:
- Vomiting
- Not being able to feed
- Swelling or bloating in the stomach
In some cases, intestinal atresia is found on an ultrasound before the baby’s birth.
What causes intestinal atresia?
Intestinal atresia develops before a baby’s birth. Experts think that it occurs due to a lack of blood supply to the baby’s intestines. They are not sure why this happens, but it may run in families.
How is intestinal atresia treated?
Intestinal atresia is treated by surgery. The surgery is usually done a few days after your baby’s birth. The type of surgery your baby has will depend on the type of atresia and how severe it is. At Connecticut Children’s, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to repair all types of congenital anomalies in children