What are the symptoms of intestinal obstruction in children and newborns?

Intestinal obstruction in children and newborns is usually caused by congenital malformations, intestinal inflammation or mechanical obstruction, and is often manifested by frequent vomiting, abdominal distension and inability to defecate normally. Early detection and targeted treatment based on the cause can significantly improve the condition.

1. Genetic and congenital factors

Congenital developmental abnormalities are one of the common causes of intestinal obstruction in children and neonates, such as congenital intestinal atresia, intestinal stenosis or intestinal malrotation in neonates. These conditions are usually closely related to abnormalities in early embryonic development. For such patients, imaging examinations such as X-rays and color ultrasound are usually required after the onset of symptoms, and surgical intervention is performed as soon as possible after a clear diagnosis. Surgical methods include intestinal anastomosis, loosening of obstruction or correction of rotation deficiency.

2. Environmental and external factors

Improper feeding methods and external factors such as infection after birth can also cause intestinal obstruction. For example, intussusception that causes obstruction may be caused by a viral infection that exacerbates the intestinal inflammatory response. After birth, newborns should pay attention to careful feeding, avoid overfeeding, and regularly monitor bowel movements and abdominal conditions. If intestinal infection is suspected, medical treatment should be sought promptly. Antibiotics may be used to control the infection and prevent further development of more serious obstruction.

3. Physiological and anatomical reasons

Intestinal obstruction is often closely related to the physiological characteristics of the pediatric intestine. For example, the intestinal peristalsis function of newborns is weak, which can easily lead to accumulation of intestinal contents due to insufficient gastrointestinal motility. Parents should pay attention to the type and proportion of infants' diets, increase water intake, and use drugs such as promotility agents according to doctor's advice to help improve gastrointestinal function.

4. Traumatic or pathological causes

Pathological causes of neonatal intestinal obstruction include congenital Hirschsprung disease, meconium ileus, etc. If the baby experiences abdominal distension and no meconium after birth, such diseases should be highly suspected, and enema is usually required to expel the deposited meconium immediately, and surgical operation is performed in severe cases.

5. Tumors and other rare factors

Adhesive intestinal obstruction caused by abdominal masses or abdominal surgery in newborns is rare, but it can also cause serious problems. Once progressive symptoms such as abdominal distension and vomiting occur, medical examinations should be completed immediately and the doctor should develop a corresponding treatment plan, such as surgical release of adhesions or removal of tumors.

Intestinal obstruction is a common emergency in children and newborns. Once vomiting, abdominal distension or abnormal bowel movements are found, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to identify the cause and choose a reasonable treatment plan based on the symptoms, and actively intervene through surgery, diet adjustment or drug therapy. Parents need to pay close attention to the baby's daily diet and bowel movements to detect problems early and improve the success rate of treatment.