Jejunoileal Atresia, an early diagnosis that impacts morbidity

Abstract

Background: Intestinal atresia is the most common cause of congenital intestinal obstruction. It is the product of complete occlusion of the intestinal lumen that most frequently affects the small intestine in its jejunoileal portion, followed in frequency by duodenal atresia. A failure in intestinal vacuolization in the growth stage of the solid cord is proposed as pathogenesis. The antenatal sonographic findings consist of dilatation of thin loops associated with an increase in the echogenicity of their content. Its subsequent radiographic confirmation is performed using a barium study that shows the lack of contrast progression. Its timely diagnosis allows management that guarantees the viability of the most significant proportion of the intestine, given that short bowel syndrome is one of the most frequent complications. Case report: female neonate with prenatal ultrasound showing loop dilation and early postnatal radiographic findings of intestinal atresia, requiring resection of the atretic segment and ileocolic anastomosis. Subsequent management with parenteral nutrition achieved oral tolerance. She was discharged at two weeks of age. Conclusions: an adequate multidisciplinary intervention made up of radiologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, and pediatric surgeons, in patients with intestinal atresia, allows for a reduction in their morbidity, demonstrated in shorter hospital stay, rapid weight gain, and lower risk of the short intestine.