Congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract are abnormalities in the organs that prevent the digestive system from functioning. They could be further classified based on whether the defect is structural or functional.
Congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract include:
- Atresia
- Diaphragmatic hernia
- Duplications
- Ectopia
- Fistulae
- Gastroschisis
- Hirschsprung disease
- Meckel diverticulum
- Omphalocele
- Pyloric stenosis
| Abnormalities | Etiology | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prognosis |
| Atresia | Not enough blood flow to the intestines | Blood tests, ultrasound, nuclear scan | Surgery, nasogastric tube | Excellent |
| Diaphragmatic Hernia | Genetic disorder | chest x-ray, echocardiogram, blood tests | Surgical repair of the hernia | Fair |
| Duplications | Abnormalities in recanalization, partial twinning | CT scan, Ultrasound, MRI | Excision, enemas | Bad |
| Ectopia | Genetic defect, intrauterine drug exposure and rupture of fetal membranes | Ultrasound, MRI | Emergency surgery after birth | Worst |
| Fistulae | Crohn’s disease, radiation therapy for cancer | CT scan, MRI | Fistulotomy, reconstructive surgery | Fair |
| Gastroschisis | Vascular accident in early embryonic life | Physical examination, Prenatal ultrasonography | Surgery, nutrients by IV and antibiotics to prevent infection | Good |
| Hirschsprung Disease | Mutations in the RET gene | Rectal biopsy, plain abdominal radiograph, Anal manometry | Surgery, IV antibiotics, nasogastric tube insertion and bowel decompression | Good |
| Meckel Diverticulum | Incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric duct | Technetium scan, Colonoscopy, Wireless capsule endoscopy | Surgery, laparoscopic-assisted approach | Excellent |
| Omphalocele | Change in the genes or chromosomes | Prenatal ultrasounds, physical examination of the infant | Surgery | Good |
| Pyloric Stenosis | Unclear | Barium swallow / upper GI series, Abdominal ultrasound, Blood tests | Intravenously fluids, pyloromyotomy | Excellent |
