Congenital gastrointestinal system malformations in a 5-year post mortem series

The aim of this study was to determine the types and frequencies of congenital gastroinstestinal (G-I) tract malformations on post mortem in the period from 1996 to 2000. Autopsy protocols of aborted fetuses, stillborn infants and infants that died within 7 days after delivery were retrieved from the archive and studied. Cases of cleft lip and/or palate, biliary tract, pancreatic and diaphragmal malformations were not included in the study. During the mentioned period, 1251 autopsy was performed with 127 showing some malformation. G-I tract malformation was diagnosed in 37 cases (2.9% and 29.1%, respectively). Most frequent malformations were atresias at the different level of the G-I tract (56.75%), followed by omphalocoele (35.13%) and gastroschisis (8.1%). Of atresias, the most frequent were oesophageal and anorectal (38.1% of atresias, each). A striking male preponderance (2.36:1) in the frequency of G-I malformations was noticed. Isolated G-I malformations were found in 32.4%, different but simultaneous G-I malformations in 5.4% and association with other organ system(s) malformations in 62.2%. Omphalocoele and anorectal atresia were associated with other organ system malformation(s) in 34.8%, each. Other organ systems affected by malformation besides the G-I tract were cardiovascular system (65.21%), urogenital system (also 65.2%), gastrointestinal system with the malformation of another kind or atresia at the different level (17.4%), CNS (17.4%), skeletal system (26.1%) and other organs or systems (30.7%).