How to treat intestinal obstruction in newborns

Treatment of neonatal intestinal obstruction requires appropriate measures based on the specific cause, including surgery, medication and nutritional support. Common causes include congenital malformations, meconium blockage and intestinal torsion. According to different causes, treatment methods include surgery to relieve obstruction, medication to relieve symptoms and intravenous nutritional support to maintain the vital signs of the child.

1. Surgical treatment is the main method for neonatal intestinal obstruction. Common surgical methods include intestinal resection and anastomosis, enterostomy and intestinal decompression. Intestinal resection and anastomosis are suitable for children with intestinal necrosis or severe stenosis. The diseased intestinal segment is removed and anastomosed to the healthy intestine to restore intestinal patency. Enterostomy is used to temporarily relieve obstruction. The intestine is led out of the abdominal wall to form a fistula. A second operation is performed after the child's condition stabilizes. Intestinal decompression releases accumulated gas and fluid by puncturing or incising the intestine, relieving intestinal expansion and pressure.

2. Drug treatment is mainly used to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. Commonly used drugs include antibiotics, analgesics and gastrointestinal motility drugs. Antibiotics are used to prevent or treat secondary infections, such as cephalosporins or penicillins. Analgesics such as acetaminophen can relieve children's pain and improve comfort. Gastrointestinal motility drugs such as domperidone help promote intestinal peristalsis and relieve symptoms of intestinal obstruction.

3. Nutritional support is an important part of the treatment of neonatal intestinal obstruction. Common methods include intravenous nutrition and enteral nutrition. Intravenous nutrition is to infuse nutrient solution through peripheral or central vein to provide the patient with the calories and nutrients needed to maintain vital signs. Enteral nutrition is used after the intestinal function is restored. Special formula milk powder or breast milk is given through nasogastric tube or stomach tube to gradually restore intestinal function.

4. Etiological treatment Take corresponding measures for different causes, such as congenital malformations require surgical correction, meconium blockage can be cleared by enema or surgery, and intestinal volvulus requires surgical reduction. Congenital malformations such as intestinal atresia or intestinal malrotation require surgical correction as soon as possible after diagnosis to restore intestinal patency. Meconium blockage can be softened by enema to promote excretion, and surgery is required for severe cases. Intestinal volvulus requires surgical reduction and fixation of the intestine to prevent recurrence.

The treatment of neonatal intestinal obstruction requires comprehensive consideration of the cause, symptoms and condition of the child, and the adoption of multiple measures such as surgery, medication and nutritional support to promptly relieve obstruction, alleviate symptoms and maintain vital signs to ensure that the child obtains the best treatment effect and prognosis.