Clinical Profile and Therapeutic Approach of Neonates with Congenital Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Wall Anomalies
Keywords:
congenital anomalies; digestive system; newborn; surgery; neonatal intensive care.Abstract
Introduction: Congenital digestive anomalies constitute an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality and frequently require surgical intervention and specialized therapeutic support.
Objective: To characterize the clinical profile and therapeutic management according to the anatomical classification of congenital digestive anomalies in neonates treated at a referral hospital.
Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted in 39 neonates with confirmed diagnosis of congenital digestive anomalies, treated between January 2022 and June 2024. Fetomaternal and neonatal variables, anatomical classification of malformations, therapeutic requirements, and hospital outcomes were analyzed. The association between anatomical classification and components of therapeutic management was evaluated, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Male neonates predominated (67.0%), born at term (54.0%) and with normal birth weight (64.1%). Abdominal wall malformations accounted for 33.3% of cases and lower digestive tract malformations for 30.8%. Antibiotic therapy was the most used therapeutic component (82.1%), followed by surgical intervention (76.9%) and ventilation (59.0%). A statistically significant association was found between the anatomical classification of malformations and the need for ventilation (p < 0.001), antibiotic therapy (p = 0.001), and surgical intervention (p = 0.001). No deaths were recorded during hospitalization.
Conclusions: The anatomical classification of congenital digestive anomalies is related to differences in therapeutic requirements. Abdominal wall and lower digestive tract malformations present a high need for therapeutic support and surgical intervention.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Alina González Hernández, Aymee Piñon Gamez, María Claudia Vinces Obando, Alisson Milena Muñoz Mendoza
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