Childen's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
Duodenal Atresia or Stenosis
Programs that treat this condition
Robotic Surgery   Endoscopy Unit  
Duodenal atresia is the complete blockage or absence of a portion of the duodenum, the first portion of the small intestine. This rare condition occurs in newborns and usually has no known cause.

Duodenal stenosis is the narrowing or partial blockage of a portion of the duodenum. This condition can be present at birth or develop later in childhood.

What are the symptoms of duodenal atresia or stenosis?
In infants with duodenal atresia, or blockage, the digestive tract does not function. Duodenal stenosis, or narrowing, can cause loss of appetite, failure to gain weight, vomiting, a sensation of filling up quickly, or excessive hunger. The condition can also cause a swollen abdomen and colicky, crampy pain.
How is duodenal atresia or stenosis diagnosed?
Duodenal atresia is sometimes diagnosed prenatally through ultrasound. The condition is also diagnosed in newborns, usually in the first few days of life. Duodenal stenosis is diagnosed using x-rays when a child presents with symptoms.
How is duodenal atresia or stenosis treated?
Both duodenal atresia and stenosis require surgery to allow food to pass through the small intestine. Surgeons at Children's Hospital Boston use the latest robotic surgery technology to perform the procedure using minimally-invasive surgery techniques, which reduce the size of the incision required, significantly lower pain and the risk of infection, and speed recovery time.
What is the outlook for a child with duodenal atresia or stenosis?
Following surgery for duodenal atresia children are monitored closely for signs of leakage at the incision site. Once the incisions are healed they are also monitored for signs of duodenal stenosis, which can occur months or years later. Following surgery for duodenal stenosis children are monitored for early risk of leakage at the incision site or obstruction.

Once the risk of complications has passed, most children who have duodenal atresia or stenosis are monitored less frequently and achieve normal digestive function.

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