Imperforate anus: an unusual presentation of a common disease

Imperforate anus is a common problem facing the pediatric surgeon. Most cases of imperforate anus are discovered at birth during the initial physical examination and are corrected early. The pediatric population also accounts for 80% of all cases of ingested foreign bodies. Most of these pass through spontaneously and the treatment is observation. In this article, we present the case of a seven-month-old child in whom failure to pass a swallowed coin led to the diagnosis of imperforate anus. This case illustrates an uncommon presentation of a common disorder and emphasizes the importance of vigilance and careful physical examination in the newborn.