Related Experiment Videos
Pattern of congenital alimentary tract malformation in Ibadan, Nigeria
1Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Insights
Congenital upper alimentary tract malformations in children present varied outcomes. While cleft lip/palate have low mortality, jejunal and esophageal atresia show high fatality rates, often due to aspiration or infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Congenital upper alimentary tract malformations are a significant concern in pediatric health.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving outcomes in affected infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively analyze the types and outcomes of congenital upper alimentary tract malformations in children.
- To identify risk factors and common causes of mortality in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 19 children with congenital upper alimentary tract malformations over 12 months.
- Classification of malformations into six types: congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, cleft lip/palate, esophageal atresia with/without tracheo-esophageal fistula, jejunal atresia, achalasia, and annular pancreas.
- Mortality rate calculation and analysis of causes of death.
Main Results:
- Twenty cases were studied, with congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (7) and cleft lip/palate (5) being most common.
- Overall mortality rate was 31.51% (6/19).
- High mortality (>70%) observed in jejunal atresia and esophageal atresia; low mortality in cleft lip/palate cases. Common causes of death included milk aspiration, peritonitis, and probable septicemia.
Conclusions:
- Congenital upper alimentary tract malformations have a significant mortality rate, with specific conditions posing higher risks.
- Effective management strategies are needed to reduce mortality, particularly for conditions like jejunal and esophageal atresia.
- Further research into preventative measures and optimized treatment protocols is warranted.
Abstract:
Nineteen children with congenital upper alimentary tract malformation were studied prospectively at the Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, over a period of 12 months. There were 20 cases, grouped into six types comprising congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, seven; cleft lip and/or cleft palate, five; oesophagal atresia with or without tracheo-oesophageal fistula, four; jejunal atresia two and a case each of achalasia and annular pancreas. One patient had oesophageal atresia and congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. The mortality rate was 31.51% (six out of nineteen). Low mortality was recorded in cases of cleft lip and/or palate, while mortalities of over 70% were recorded among cases of jejunal atresia, and oesophageal atresia with or without tracheo-oesophageal fistul. The common causes of death were milk feed aspiration (28.6%-two cases), purulent peritonitis (14.3%-one case), and probable septicaemia (14.3%-one case). The cause of death in two cases could not be determined.