An Unusual Case Of Ileal Atresia: A Case Report

Background: Congenital cardiovascular abnormalities are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric age group. GI system problems are not uncommon in patients with congenital cardiovascular abnormalities. These GI problems include both that are associated with the congenital defect, or they may occur due to cardiopulmonary bypass use to treat these problems, which can cause a redistribution and thus a decrease in blood flow leading to ischemia. Case: Male child, 25 days of life, was antenatally diagnosed to have a congenital heart defect, which on post-natal ECHO was diagnosed as Mixed Anamolous TAPVC with an Anterior Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). After the TAPVC re-routing correction was done, on post-op day 3, the child developed abdominal distension and a pediatric surgical referral was taken. On examination, the child had fever, tachycardia and sluggish bowel sounds. Imaging suggested ileus which was managed conservatively. Patient was later started on oral feels which were not tolerated well so an exploratory laparotomy was planned which revealed distal ileal atresia. The anomaly was corrected in the same surgery and post-op course was uneventful. Conclusion: To summarize everything that has been stated so far, in neonates even with the history of stool passage, ileal atresia should still be considered as one of the differentials, particularly after the common ones have been ruled out.