Gastrointestinal atresias in the newborn: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i2.50657Keywords:
Atresias, Gastrointestinal Tract, Neonatal.Abstract
Neonatal gastrointestinal emergencies are caused by a diverse set of conditions, mainly congenital, that can affect the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract and, occasionally, both. The most common forms include duodenal atresia (first part of the small intestine), jejunoileal atresia (parts of the small intestine), and esophageal atresia (esophagus), which may be accompanied by tracheoesophageal fistula, an abnormal communication with the trachea. This study aimed to describe aspects related to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of these gastrointestinal emergencies in newborns. To this end, a narrative literature review was conducted, for which an electronic search was carried out in the MedLine (PubMed), LILACS, and Cureus databases, analyzing articles in Portuguese and English, available in full text and published between 2012 and 2025, prioritizing clinical studies, systematic reviews, and case reports that were in line with the theme of this study. In conclusion, it was found that gastrointestinal emergencies, such as atresias, in neonates and infants can occur at any point in the gastrointestinal tract and are complex and life-threatening conditions. The treatment approach is surgical and should be performed in the first few days of life. Despite the significant progress observed in the management of these pathologies in recent decades, some cases remain extremely challenging and have a guarded prognosis. Jejunoileal atresia type 3b is the least common and most severe form, presenting the worst prognosis compared to other types. The prognosis for duodenal atresia is excellent after successful surgical treatment.
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