Comparing the profile of patients with anorectal malformations and delayed presentation of anorectal malformations in the Johannesburg paediatric colorectal clinic: a retrospective study.

A A Piperidis, J Scribante, C Bebington, G Brisighelli

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Article in Pediatric surgery international, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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A A PiperidisDepartment of Paediatric Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. alexia.piperidis@gmail.com.

J ScribanteDepartment of Paediatric Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

C BebingtonJohannesburg Paediatric Colorectal Clinic, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.

G BrisighelliDepartment of Paediatric Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeDelayed presentation of anorectal malformations (ARM) presents clinical challenges, leading to complications and compromised outcomes. This study aimed to compare the profiles and outcomes of patients with delayed presentation of ARM at the Johannesburg Paediatric Colorectal Clinic (JPCC).

methodsA retrospective review of patients seen at JPCC between 2018 and 2023 was conducted. Patients diagnosed after 24 h from birth were considered delayed. (Ethics approval M240346).

resultsAll 269 ARM patients were included; 128 (56.39%) had delayed presentation. The median age at diagnosis was 5 (2-4015) days, and 155 (55.51%) were male. Patients with delayed diagnosis had fewer comorbidities (50.83% vs 71.13%, p = 0.002) and fewer cardiac abnormalities (24.17% vs. 43.30%, p = 0.004). They also underwent first surgery later (median 9 (1-4170) days; p = 0.005). Among patients with rectoperineal fistulae, 74.51% had delayed diagnosis, compared to 42.86% of males with recto-bladder neck fistulae and 30.77% of females with cloacae (p = 0.38) (p = 0.002). Surgical complications were more frequent in the delayed group (p = 0.027), and 87% underwent stoma fashioning.

conclusionDelayed ARM diagnosis is associated with increased complications and complex care. Early detection and standardised protocols are essential for improved outcomes.

Indexed as

Anorectal MalformationsDelayed DiagnosisFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMaleRetrospective StudiesSouth AfricaAnorectal malformationsComplicationDelayed diagnosisLower- and middle-income country

Identifiers

PMID40553301

DOI10.1007/s00383-025-06072-0

PMCPMC12187886

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