Features of the small intestinal atresia clinical manifestation in newborns in the first minutes of their life

Abstract

Clinical signs of small bowel atresia, which are widely described in the literature, usually develop after the first day of life. Studies on the clinical manifestations of intestinal atresia in newborns in the first minutes of their lives are still lacking. Purpose — to identify clinical signs of different types of intestinal atresia which can be detected by physical examination of the newborn, immediately after birth. Materials and methods. A retrospective study of 77 newborns with congenital small intestinal obstruction (SIO) who underwent surgical management at the Neonatal Surgery Center for Congenital Malformations and their Rehabilitation SI «Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after acad. E.M. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine» was conducted. The clinical manifestations of SIO in patients with duodenal (n=44), jejunal (n=14) and ileal (n=19) atresia were studied and a statistical analysis was performed. Results. There was no significant difference in the volume of gastric stasis, abdominal bloating and meconium discharge in patients with different types of duodenal obstruction (P>0.05). It was found that patients with duodenal and jejunal obstruction, immediately after birth, have a significantly higher volume of gastric stasis (38.0±23.9 ml and 42.3±20.0 ml, respectively) compared with patients who had ileal atresia (14.7±12.8 ml), (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of abdominal bloating and meconium discharge (P>0.05). Conclusions. Duodenal and jejunal atresia are associated with excessive gastrostasis, but meconium discharge may be normal. Abdominal bloating always occurs in duodenal atresia and may be absent in jejunal and ileal atresia. In patients with ileal atresia, there may be no signs of intestinal obstruction immediately after birth. Level of evidence. Level III. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of an participating institution. The informed consent of the child's parents was obtained from the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: atresia, small intestine, clinical manifestations, newborns.