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Maternal (Expert Forum)
Duodenal Atresia
Patient medical question and answer from The Maternal and Child Health Forum. Health topic area and articles about newborn care
Duodenal Atresia
by Bob__0, Aug 28, 1998 12:00AM
My daugher was born (1989) with Duodenal Atresia. The condition was
surgically corrected at birth. When she was 6 she suffered two months
of excruciating stomach pains. After (seemingly) running out of
options, exploratory surgery was performed. The 'shunt' was open,
though the surgeon reported 'extensive' internal scarring. When she
left the hospital she was told to take Propulsid 5mg. three times a
day. She has been doing so ever since.
She has periodic 'tummy aches' but nothing dramatic.
My questions are as follows:
Is there any long term problem with taking Propulsid?
Does the internal scarring portend future problems as she grows?
Has there ever been any follow up on the health and lives of children
born with this condition?
surgically corrected at birth. When she was 6 she suffered two months
of excruciating stomach pains. After (seemingly) running out of
options, exploratory surgery was performed. The 'shunt' was open,
though the surgeon reported 'extensive' internal scarring. When she
left the hospital she was told to take Propulsid 5mg. three times a
day. She has been doing so ever since.
She has periodic 'tummy aches' but nothing dramatic.
My questions are as follows:
Is there any long term problem with taking Propulsid?
Does the internal scarring portend future problems as she grows?
Has there ever been any follow up on the health and lives of children
born with this condition?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.RN-AM, Aug 28, 1998 12:00AM
Dear Bob,
In answer to your first question, there are no known long term problems associated with taking Propulsid.
Internal scarring or ‘adhesions’ can result from surgery and may cause bowel obstruction in 3-5% of children that have had this operation. There have been follow-up studies and these children generally do well. The only persistent problem is if the duodenum remains dilated (too big).. Occasional ‘tummy aches’ in this age group are not uncommon. Often this is how the should copes with stress, i.e.: school, peer pressure, etc.. Keep alert for more persistent pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and report to your physician or pediatric surgeon should these arise.
HFHS.RN-AM
I hope you can help. The answers I get from our physicians here are all
vague.
