Neonatal functional XXXX and the presence of severely immature ganglion cells on rectal biopsy: 6 year experience.

@entity1 @entity82 @entity3465 @entity1661 @entity1963 @entity2463 @entity1518 @entity1321 @entity1142 @entity8593
PURPOSE: We report our experience of managing eight babies who presented with neonatal @entity1321 and whose rectal biopsies showed severely immature ganglion cells. METHODS: Neonatal unit records were reviewed to detect @entity1 with suspected @entity1963 or functional @entity1321 . Those with @entity8593 , @entity2463 , @entity1518 , cystic @entity82 and @entity3465 were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 73 @entity1 born at term. Twenty-seven did not need a rectal biopsy. Twenty-one had biopsy proven @entity1963 , while 17 had a normal rectal biopsy. Eight @entity1 , all of whom presented with severe @entity1661 , showed immature ganglion cells. Seven had failed to pass meconium after birth. X-rays in all @entity1 showed distended loops of bowel. Two neonates underwent an emergency laparotomy and a stoma. A repeat biopsy at 3 months showed maturation of ganglion cells and the stoma was reversed. Rectal biopsy was repeated in two other @entity1 2-9 months after the first biopsy and showed mature ganglion cells. At follow-up, one @entity1 still suffers from severe @entity1142 . Seven are asymptomatic now, including the two @entity1 who needed a stoma. CONCLUSION: Immature ganglion cells on rectal biopsy may be an indicator of transient functional immaturity of the intestine.
