Intestinal obstruction in neonates: risk factors and prognosis

ABSTRACT

One hundred and four newborns presenting with symptoms of intestinal obstruction admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Assiut University Hospital were included in this study. Diagnosis was based on clinical examination including PR and traditional diagnostic studies as plain x-ray films of the abdomen supplemented by either an upper or lower gastrointestinal contrast study. Invertogram was needed in cases of anorectal malformations and pre and postoperative management was done in the NICU. The results revealed that lack of prenatal diagnosis, delay of postnatal presentation and /or delay in diagnosis and in surgical intervention were considered to be the major preoperative causes of the high mortality in neonates suffering from intestinal obstruction in the studied locality