children s health issues
Overview of Digestive Tract Birth Defects
Introduction
A Overview of Birth Defects can occur anywhere along the digestive tract—in the The digestive organs may be incompletely developed or abnormally positioned, causing blockages, or the muscles or nerves of the digestive tract may be defective. Symptoms depend on the location of the defect but may include crampy abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, and vomiting. The diagnosis usually is based on imaging tests and other tests. Surgery usually is required. Birth defects along the digestive tract can include the following: Abdominal Wall Defects (Omphalocele and Gastroschisis) (including omphalocele and gastroschisis) Anorectal Malformations None Biliary Atresia (a birth defect involving the Diaphragmatic Hernia None Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula None Hirschsprung Disease None Intestinal Malrotation None In many cases, an organ is not fully developed or is abnormally positioned, which often causes narrowing or blockage (obstruction). Blockages can be present almost anywhere along the digestive tract, including in the esophagus, intestines, rectum, or anus. Sometimes a segment of the digestive tract does not form or develop normally or forms and then is destroyed by a problem that occurs in the womb before birth. The internal or external muscles surrounding the abdominal cavity may weaken or develop holes, as is the case with abdominal wall defects and diaphragmatic hernia. The nerves to the intestines may also fail to develop, as is the case with Hirschsprung disease. 