Neonatal Gastrointestinal Emergencies: Step-by-Step Approach

Abstract

Neonatal gastrointestinal emergencies are caused by a diverse set of primarily congenital entities that may affect the upper or lower gastrointestinal tracts, and occasionally both. Although a diagnosis can sometimes be made on prenatal imaging, more commonly patients present after birth and require prompt diagnosis to facilitate timely treatment. Imaging plays a central role in the accurate diagnosis of these entities and typically consists of an initial abdominal series followed by either an upper gastrointestinal series or contrast enema. The authors review the most common neonatal gastrointestinal emergencies and provide a step-by-step approach to the accurate imaging diagnosis.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal; Hirschsprung disease; Intestinal atresia; Malrotation; Meconium ileus; Neonatal; Pyloric stenosis; Tracheoesophageal fistula.