Isolated small intestinal atresias in Latin America and Spain: epidemiological analysis

Stenosis, atresia, or absence of part of the duodenum, jejunum, or ileum are generally considered small intestinal atresias (SIAs). SIAs occur as isolated defects, in combination with other unrelated congenital anomalies, or as part of syndromes. We performed an epidemiological study of infants with isolated SIAs using data from two large congenital defects registries, one from Latin America (ECLAMC) and the other from Spain (ECEMC). The overall prevalence of SIAs is similar in both programs, being 1.32 per 10,000 livebirths in Spain and 1.29 per 10.000 livebirths in Latin America. Our results suggest that infants with isolated SIAs are characterized epidemiologically on the basis of shorter gestational age and low birthweight, an association with twinning, the parents are more frequently consanguineous, and their pregnancies are more frequently complicated by vaginal bleeding. The results also suggest an association between some maternal infections and ileal atresia. The fact that these characteristics have been observed in children with these types of anomalies occurring in different geographical areas and populations supports the conclusion that these characteristics are causally related to these defects.