- Pediatric Surgery
- Imperforate Anus
Imperforate Anus
Imperforate anus is a congenital condition in which the opening to a baby’s anus is missing or blocked. This can occur in several forms and differs between boys and girls.
The problem occurs during the early stages of fetal development and may be associated with other birth defects. The exact cause is unknown.
Imperforate anus is a relatively common condition that occurs in about 1 out of 5,000 infants.
How is it diagnosed?
How is it diagnosed?
In some cases, imperforate anus can be detected during prenatal ultrasounds, but it’s typically discovered shortly after birth during the baby’s first physical exam. After a diagnosis is made, additional testing, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI scans, is needed to check for frequently associated problems related to the baby’s kidneys, urinary tract, heart, uterus, and spine. These tests also provide a clearer picture of the baby’s anatomy to help surgeons plan for surgical repair.
How is it treated?
Surgery is required to create an anal opening and position the rectum in the anal sphincter muscle complex to give the child the best possible chance at long-term continence. The complexity and number of surgeries needed can vary on a case-by-case basis.
After surgery, the baby will need follow-up care to ensure proper healing and to monitor bowel function. Children with imperforate anus often struggle with constipation, even after their anatomy has been corrected. Other children who have a more severe type of imperforate anus or associated spinal cord abnormalities may not have normal bowel continence or function. All patients with imperforate anus benefit from being followed in our Bowel Management program run through our Comprehensive Congenital Colorectal Program. We also work closely with our colleagues from urology, gastroenterology, gynecology, neurosurgery, and pelvic floor physical therapy to coordinate care for our patients with imperforate anus. In this program, we follow patients with imperforate anus from the newborn period all the way through adulthood and help them achieve social continence (lack of stool accidents) at every stage of life.
Speak to your doctor for more information. Visit our pediatric surgery page to learn more about our services and providers.
