Documentation of small intestine atresias: a single-institution experience in Turkey (22 cases)

Aim: To investigate the associated anomalies and causes of death in a neonatal autopsy series with intestinal atresias over an 8-year period from the archives of our department. Intestinal atresia, meaning the complete absence of a segment of the intestine or complete occlusion of the intestinal lumen, is the most common cause of gastrointestinal obstruction in neonatal autopsy series. There is an approximately equal sex distribution.Materials and methods: From the archives of our records, 22 cases with intestinal atresia were reevaluated. The patients’ demographic data were noted. Anomalies associated with intestinal atresia were grouped into systemic categories and the main causes of death were documented.Results: There was a female predominancy with an average life span of 10 days. Neonates with prematurity or low birth weight made up the vast majority of the series (95.5%). Duodenal atresia was seen in 11 cases (50%). The anomaly most frequently associated with intestinal atresia was detected in the gastrointestinal system, as well (77.2%). The most common cause of death was bacterial sepsis, at 50%.Conclusion: Intestinal atresias are one of the significant anomalies among perinatal autopsy cases and need to be carefully investigated by pathologists.