The association of spinal and genitourinary abnormalities with low anorectal anomalies (imperforate anus) in female infants.

Abstract

The features of high and low rectal abnormalities are described. Seventeen female infants with low anorectal malformations were reviewed for spinal and genitourinary anomalies. Sixteen had a visible ectopic orifice and one had anal agenesis with no fistula. Nine had spinal and/or genitourinary abnormalities. None of the 8 patients with spinal abnormalities had associated neurogenic bladder or dysfunction of the puborectalis muscle. All neonates with anorectal malformations should have evaluations of the spine and the genitourinary tract since a high incidence of abnormalities occurs in female infants with low lesions.