Intestinal Atresia

Synonyms

Intestinal atresia and stenosis

Definition

Intestinal atresia is a complete blockage of intestinal passage caused by mucosal diaphragm which totally occludes the lumen. Stenosis is formed by narrowed segment of the intestine or the mucosal diaphragm with small opening. Intestinal atresia and stenosis are responsible for most cases of bowel obstruction in newborns.

There are three major theories explaining development of intestinal atresia:

• (i) Failed recanalization of the intestine during 12-th fetal week

• (ii) Retarded epithelial growth during intestinal elongation which is slower than mesenchymal growth

• (iii) Vascular abnormalities in utero leading to ischemia and segmental necrosis with subsequent scaring and development of atresia

Intestinal atresia differs in its clinical picture, diagnosis, and treatment methods, depending on the site of the involvement, which can be divided in duodenal, ileojejunal, and colon atresia. This condition is connected with prematurity in half...