Article:

Intestinal Atresia: A Four-Year Review of Cases in Ikeja-Lagos

Abstract: Introduction: Intestinal atresia is one of the most common causes of neonatal intestinal obstruction worldwide. The pattern of presentation and management in our institution is reviewed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the pattern of intestinal atresias and stenoses in newborns who presented to our unit. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of patients with intestinal atresias and stenoses who presented between September 2004 and November 2008. The clinical presentation, diagnoses, operative management, post operative care and outcome were obtained from the case notes. Results: Thirty cases were seen in that period, M:F; 1:1.5. Eleven (36.7%) were duodenal pathologies and 19 (63.3%) were jejunoileal. The main presenting symptom was bilious vomiting. Overall mortality is 40.9%. Prematurity and delayed presentations are the major contributing factors to mortality. Conclusion: Improvement of health care facilities as well as public health education to seek early intervention will improve outcome. Maternal awareness of this condition would lead to prompt seeking of treatment for paediatric patients.