Signs of anal stenosis in children, parents should not be subjective

Baby NQB, 9 months old, in Vinh City, Nghe An was taken by his family to Vinh International Hospital in a state of prolonged constipation, bloating and crying.

Baby B's mother said that baby B's bowel movements were completely normal in the first 3 months. From the 4th month, when the family started weaning, each time the baby had a bowel movement it became more difficult, the stools were as small as noodles. Thinking that the baby was constipated, the parents always tried to improve the baby's diet but to no avail.

Doctors at Vinh International Hospital performed anal plastic surgery YV for patient NQB. Photo: Kim Chung

After being examined by a pediatric surgeon, the baby's stomach showed signs of bloating, and the anus examination showed that the baby only had a small hole in the center of the anus. Abdominal ultrasound, X-ray, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the rectum and part of the sigmoid colon were dilated due to the waste not being fully expelled. The doctor diagnosed baby B with anal stenosis (2R ~ 3mm).

Doctor Nguyen Van Tuan, Pediatric Surgery specialist said:“Anal stenosis in childrenAnal atresia is a congenital malformation that develops before the baby is born, usually occurring between the 5th and 7th week of pregnancy. This is a congenital malformation of the digestive tract with a ratio of 1/5000, a ratio of 3/1 occurring in boys compared to girls. Newborns with anal atresia may also have other malformations such as: kidney or urinary tract malformations, spinal abnormalities, tracheal malformations, esophageal malformations, hand and foot malformations, Down syndrome, Hirschsprung disease (congenital megacolon), duodenal atresia, congenital heart defects.

Most cases are treated surgically to open the blocked anal opening. Depending on factors such as the degree, condition, location and cause of the anal stenosis, the surgeon will choose the appropriate method.

Baby B was indicated for YV anal plastic surgery; Incision of an inverted Y shape, the base of the Y is located in the rectum, 2 branches of the Y are from the edge of the anal skin, cut all subcutaneous tissue to the end of the fibrous ring. Stitch the top of the 2 branches of the Y to the bottom of the base of the Y to form an inverted V shape.

X-ray image of a child with anal stenosis. Photo: Kim Chung

Two weeks after surgery, baby B was able to go about his daily activities and defecate normally. However, to prevent the anal stenosis from recurring due to the surgical scar, the patient needs to have his anus dilated using a specialized instrument, which is performed 7-14 days after surgery, with the frequency and depth according to the number from smallest to largest on the instrument, depending on age.

Anal stenosis is a disease that causes quite common symptoms in newborns. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to their child's hygiene. If there are unusual signs such as constipation, bloating, vomiting, difficulty defecating, etc., they need to take the child immediately to a reputable medical center with a specialist for early treatment to avoid dangerous complications that may occur; eliminate risks that affect the child's development./.