A population-based study of the outcome after small bowel atresia/stenosis in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 1992-2003.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to describe the incidence, epidemiology, and survival of infants with small bowel atresia/stenosis in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia.


METHODS
A population-based cohort study was conducted of infants diagnosed with small bowel atresia/stenosis in NSW and the ACT from 1992 to 2003. Data were obtained from the prospectively collated NSW and ACT Neonatal Intensive Care Units' data collection. Individual risk factors for mortality were assessed using the chi(2) test.


RESULTS
The incidence of small bowel atresia/stenosis in NSW and the ACT was 2.9 per 10,000 births. Of 299 infants identified with small bowel atresia, 13 were stillborn. Of the 286 live born infants, most (52%) were delivered preterm (<37 weeks' gestation) with an 87% survival, whereas 48% were term with a 98% survival. More than half the infants (54%) had an associated birth defect. The overall mortality was 8%. Prematurity and low birth weight were identified as independent risk factors for mortality (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study of small bowel atresia/stenosis provides population-based outcomes for clinicians and families. It is important to investigate infants with small bowel atresia for associated birth defects. Although the mortality rate has decreased over the last 50 years, it remains substantial at 8% and is higher in premature and low birth weight infants.
Walker
Karen
K
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Grace Centre for Newborn Care, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. karenw4@chw.edu.au
Badawi
Nadia
N
Hamid
Celine H
CH
Vora
Amish
A
Halliday
Robert
R
Taylor
Claire
C
Shi
Edward
E
Roy
G T
GT
Simpson
Edward
E
Holland
Andrew J A
AJ
D020958:Australian Capital Territory / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007409:Intestinal Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D011336:Probability; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome