What is duodenal atresia and stenosis?
‘Atresia’ means complete blockage while ‘stenosis’ means narrowing. Duodenal atresia and stenosis is a condition in which the duodenum (first part of the small bowel) has not developed properly. It is not open and does not allow the stomach contents to go into the intestine. Why does this happen? The reason why this happens is not exactly known. It is due to abnormal development of the duodenum in the very early part of pregnancy. There is nothing you could have done to cause or prevent this. How often does it occur? One out of every 6,000 babies is born with duodenal atresia and stenosis. How is this condition diagnosed? Duodenal atresia and stenosis can be diagnosed during a routine prenatal ultrasound. Maternal-Fetal Medicine doctors will carefully watch your baby’s development in your womb. How will this condition affect my baby? Infants born with duodenal atresia begin vomiting large amounts of material shortly after birth. Untreated, these infants dehydrate and become critically
