Jejunoileal Atresia: A 5 Year Institutional Review of Surgical Outcomes, Prognostic Factors and the Impact of Delayed Presentation in a ResourceLimited Setting

Introduction: Jejunoileal atresia (JIA) is a frequent cause of intestinal obstruction in the newborn and it occurs in 1-3 per 10,000 live births. The condition is caused by vascular accident in utero. The antenatal diagnosis is difficult even though prenatal imaging has improved. Neonates with JIA normally manifest within the first 24-48 hours of birth with biliary emesis and inability to empty meconium with or without abdominal distension. The gold standard is surgical resection of the atresia segment and end to end anastomosis. When neonates are in severe sepsis or in poor general state or in severe bowel distension, other surgical methods- stoma or a chimney procedure (e.g Santulli ) can be used. Survival rates in developed countries are more than 90% due to early diagnosis, neonatal intensive care advancements, pediatric anaesthesia expertise and access to total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Aims and Objectives: This paper seeks to carry out an institutional review based on cases of jejunoileal atresia that have been conducted over a period of 5 years basing on short term outcomes and survival influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on neon