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- $Unique_ID{BRK03478}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Anus, Imperforate}
- $Subject{Anus, Imperforate Anal Atresia Anal Membrane Anal Stenosis Anorectal
- Malformations Ectopic Anus High Imperforate Anus Low Imperforate Anus Perineal
- Anus Rectoperineal Fistula Colon Atresia (Colon Stenosis)}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 629
- Anus, Imperforate
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible that the main title of this article (Imperforate Anus) is
- not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM list to find the
- alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Anal Atresia
- Anal Membrane
- Anal Stenosis
- Anorectal Malformations
- Ectopic Anus
- High Imperforate Anus
- Low Imperforate Anus
- Perineal Anus
- Rectoperineal Fistula
-
- Information on the following disorder can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Colon Atresia (Colon Stenosis)
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section
- of this report.
-
- Imperforate Anus is a rare inborn abnormality characterized by the
- absence or abnormal localization of the anus. The rectum or the colon may be
- connected to the vagina or the bladder by a tunnel (fistula). With surgical
- correction, normal elimination can become possible.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Imperforate Anus is an abnormality present at birth, and characterized by the
- absence of the normal opening of the anus. Elimination of feces may not be
- possible until surgery is performed. In some cases the rectum opens into the
- lower part of the vagina in females, or close to the scrotum in males.
-
- Causes
-
- Imperforate Anus may be either inherited through autosomal recessive or
- through X-linked genes.
-
- Human traits, including the classic genetic diseases, are the product of
- the interaction of two genes for that condition, one received from the father
- and one from the mother.
-
- In recessive disorders, the condition does not appear unless a person
- inherits the same defective gene for the same trait from each parent. If a
- person receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, he or she will
- be a carrier for the disease, but usually will show no symptoms. The risk of
- transmitting the disease to the children of a couple, both of whom are
- carriers for a recessive disorder, is 25 percent. Fifty percent of their
- children will be carriers, but healthy as described above. Twenty-five
- percent of their children will receive both normal genes, one from each
- parent, and will be genetically normal.
-
- X-linked recessive disorders are conditions which are coded on the X
- chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, but males have one X chromosome
- and one Y chromosome. Therefore in females, disease traits on the X
- chromosome can be masked by the normal gene on the other X chromosome. Since
- males only have one X chromosome, if they inherit a gene for a disease
- present on the X, it will be expressed. Men with X-linked disorders transmit
- the gene to all their daughters, who are carriers, but never to their sons.
- Women who are carriers of an X-linked disorder have a 50 percent risk of
- transmitting the carrier condition to their daughters, and a 50 percent risk
- of transmitting the disease to their sons.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Imperforate Anus occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000 births in the United
- States. It affects males and females in a ratio of six to four.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorder can be similar to those of Imperforate
- Anus. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
-
- Colon Atresia (Colon Stenosis) is a hereditary disorder characterized by
- closure or excessive narrowing of the lower intestines with distention of the
- abdomen and constipation. The closure may not be noticed at birth.
- Abnormalities of the bladder, abdominal wall, pubic area and rectum may occur
- as associated symptoms. Surgery may correct the abnormality and provide a
- normal sized opening.
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Imperforate Anus is surgically corrected by dilating, enlarging or
- repositioning the external opening, or other ways of providing an adequate
- rectal opening. Genetic counseling may be of benefit to patients and their
- families.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- April 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
- every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
- Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
- current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Imperforate Anus, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- Imperforate Anus Contact Group
- 55 Peverell Road
- Bowthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk
- ENGLAND
-
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
- Box NDIC
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 468-2162
-
- United Ostomy Association, Inc.
- 36 Executive Park, Suite 120
- Irvine, CA 97214
- (714) 660-8624
-
- For genetic information and genetic counseling referrals, please contact:
-
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
- 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
- White Plains, NY 10605
- (914) 428-7100
-
- Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
- 35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
- Chevy Chase, MD 20815
- (800) 336-GENE
- (301) 652-5553
-
- References
-
- THE GENITAL TRACT IN FEMALE CHILDREN WITH IMPERFORATE ANUS: R. Hall, et al.;
- American Journal Obstet Gynecol (January 15, 1985: issue 151(2)). Pp. 169-
- 171.
-
- IMPERFORATE ANUS WITH LONG BUT APPARENT LOW FISTULA IN FEMALES: F.G.
- Cigerroa, et al.; Journal Pediatr Surg (January 1988: issue 23(1 Pt 2)).
- Pp. 42-44.
-
- THE GENITOURINARY SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH IMPERFORATE ANUS: G.A.
- McLorie, et al.; Journal Pediatr Surg (December 1987: issue 22(12)). Pp.
- 1100-1104.
-
-