Intestinal atresia
Intestinal atresia is a medical condition that involves a complete closure of a portion of the intestine. This condition is congenital, meaning it is present at birth. The severity of the condition can vary, depending on the location and extent of the atresia.
Types of Intestinal Atresia[edit | edit source]
There are several types of intestinal atresia, each named for the part of the intestine that is affected. These include:
- Duodenal atresia - This type of atresia affects the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. It is the most common type of intestinal atresia.
- Jejunal atresia - This type affects the jejunum, which is the middle part of the small intestine.
- Ileal atresia - This type affects the ileum, which is the last part of the small intestine.
- Colonic atresia - This type affects the colon, which is part of the large intestine.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of intestinal atresia is unknown. However, it is believed to occur when the blood supply to a portion of the intestine is cut off during fetal development. This can cause the affected portion of the intestine to die and be reabsorbed, leaving a gap or atresia.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of intestinal atresia can vary, depending on the location and extent of the atresia. However, common symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Abdominal distension
- Failure to pass meconium (the first stool)
- Bilious vomiting (vomiting green bile)
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Intestinal atresia can often be diagnosed before birth through a routine ultrasound. After birth, the diagnosis can be confirmed through a combination of physical examination, X-ray, and barium enema.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment for intestinal atresia is surgical. The goal of the surgery is to remove the atresia and reconnect the healthy portions of the intestine. In some cases, a temporary ostomy may be needed.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for intestinal atresia can vary, depending on the location and extent of the atresia. However, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, most children with this condition can go on to lead normal, healthy lives.
| Intestinal atresia Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
