Malrotation is a rare prenatal abnormality in which a baby’s intestine doesn’t form or rotate in the right way in their abdomen. It occurs early in pregnancy (around the 10th week) and develops when a baby’s intestine fails to coil into the proper position. This means that parts of the intestines are in the wrong location.
Malrotation can be asymptomatic (have no symptoms), and isn’t often evident unless a baby experiences an abnormal twisting of the intestine known as a volvulus. A volvulus causes an obstruction or blockage in the intestine, preventing food from being digested normally.
Malrotation occurs equally in boys and girls. However, more boys show symptoms within the first month of life than girls. Malrotation may also be associated with other birth or intestinal defects.
One of the earliest signs of malrotation is abdominal pain and cramping caused by the inability of the bowel to push food past the obstruction. Babies with cramps and pain due to malrotation frequently follow a typical pattern: they may draw their legs up and cry, settle for about 10 to 15 minutes and then begin to cry again. If your baby follows this pattern or experiences any of the following symptoms call your pediatrician right away.
After performing a thorough physical exam of your baby, your pediatrician will order tests that evaluate the position of the intestine, and show whether it’s twisted or blocked. These tests may include:
Malrotation is considered an emergency situation and the development of volvulus is considered a life-threatening condition. Surgery is required to fix the problem.
If your baby experiences vomiting (especially green or yellow bile), swollen belly, severe abdominal pain, or difficulty feeding, these could be signs of intestinal malrotation or volvulus, which requires immediate medical attention. For expert diagnosis and treatment of intestinal malrotation, consult Dr. Ujwal Zambare at True Life Clinic & Wellness Center in wakad, Pune. Get specialized care for your child’s digestive health.
