PATTERN OF ANORECTAL MALFORMATIONS AND EARLY OUTCOMES OF MANAGEMENT AT MOI TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL ELDORET-KENYA.
Objectives: To describe the anatomical sub-types of Anorectal malformations, their management and the early outcome at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) over a 16 month period. Design: A prospective study. MTRH, in the neonatal Unit and paediatric surgical wards for theinitial capture of patients and initial follow up. The Paediatric Surgical out-patient clinic was used for the subsequent follow ups. All infants diagnosed with ARM (Anorectal malformations) at MTRH from November 2011 to April 2013. Sub-types of the Anorectal malformations, coexisting abnormalities morbidity and mortality rates. There were 42 participants including 24 (57%) males and 18 (43%) females. Neonates presented at an average age of 4 ± 3, three days and older children presented on average age of 152 ± 118, three days. There were 30 (71%) neonates and 12 (29%) older infants. In males, the predominant sub-type was imperforate anus without a fistula found in ten participants (42% of males). In females, the predominant sub-type was recto-vestibular fistula found in 14 participants (78% of females). Mortality occurred in 13 (31%) participants among them ten (24%) had coexisting abnormalities. The main causes of morbidity were: colostomy complications in four (9.5%); wound,infections in one (5%); and wound dehiscence in one (5%). Patients with Anorectal malformations presented late at MTRH. The diagnosis at birth was missed in babies born at home as well as those delivered in health institutions.