What is small bowel atresia?: An ERNICA animation for parents and families

The small intestine is a muscular tube connecting the stomach and the colon.

Food and fluid are transported through the small intestine, and nutrients needed for growth and development are absorbed into the blood.

The small intestine transports food and fluid through a type of movement called peristalsis.

Small bowel atresia occurs when a baby's small intestine does not develop properly during pregnancy, with a segment or multiple segments being abnormally narrow or missing completely.

Small bowel atresia is classed as a rare birth defect.

Small bowel atresia blocks the normal transportation of fluid and food through the small intestine, causing the part above the affected area to expand due to buildup of fluid and food.

In most cases, the cause of small bowel atresia is unknown.

Small bowel atresia is thought to occur because of reduced blood flow to a part of the intestine during pregnancy.

Small bowel atresia may be associated with other birth defects, such as cystic fibrosis.

Small bowel atresia may be suspected before birth using ultrasound.

A diagnosis of small bowel atresia can be confirmed in the hours after birth using X-ray.

Babies that do not pass meconium or present with repeated vomiting and swelling of the belly in the first few days of life must undergo X-ray.

Ongoing care for babies with small bowel atresia should be provided at a specialist center by a dedicated team of professionals with knowledge and experience of the condition.

Before surgery for small bowel atresia, dehydration and any other health concerns should be managed.

A baby's stomach may be emptied using a special tube passed down through the nose to prevent contents of the stomach from flowing into the lungs during surgery.

Surgery for small bowel atresia aims to create an unobstructed passage through the small intestine by removing narrow segments and connecting the disconnected ends together.

Early detection of small bowel atresia is very important because if untreated, a child will not be able to feed, which is necessary for survival and growth.

In some cases of small bowel atresia, it is not possible to connect the intestinal ends straight away, and more time is needed to allow the intestine to grow, requiring creation of a temporary stoma.

After surgery for small bowel atresia, most children will be able to feed normally.

While intestines recover after small bowel atresia surgery, children often need parenteral nutrition for a period of days, weeks or months.

Further surgery may be needed if the intestine does not recover well after initial small bowel atresia repair.

Hospital length of stay for babies with small bowel atresia differs depending on the severity of the atresia, any complications, and how well they respond to treatment.

Follow-up care by a multidisciplinary team is required for babies with small bowel atresia.

Babies with small bowel atresia who are missing a large part of the small intestine may require parenteral nutrition for a longer period, which can be administered at home under specialist guidance.