[Anal prolapse in the child].

Abstract

Two different conditions are contrasted: mucosal prolapse in children aged between 2 and 5 years and total prolapse, which is very rare. Mucosal prolapse has become very rare in industrialised countries because of the excellent improvement in nutrition since the war, while this remains a very serious condition in under-developed countries. It is rapidly cured, provided the therapeutic errors are avoided, in particular cerclage. Sclerosis with quinine-urea is indicated in this situation. The various causes are discussed: in particular, the abnormal fixation of the rectum and the absence of the sacral curvature. The predisposing factors are essentially prolonged time spent on the pot, constipation and prolonged diarrhoea and, most importantly, malnutrition and prematurity. Total prolapse in very rare; it is about 15 centimetres long curved posteriorly and often incoercible. It occurs in younger infants and even neonates. It is often irreducible and therefore requires surgery in certain cases. It frequently disappears after the age of 8 years. There are a number of very different causes, not only malnutrition and prematurity and, in this clinical context, strain plays an important role and may be due to a vesical or urethral stone or to a congenital abnormality of these organs, but also abnormalities of the rectal segment with disorders of innervation, connective tissue diseases, any diseases affecting the internal sphincter, in particular congenital abnormalities. Abnormalities of the intrinsic rectal innervation with loss of sensitivity are frequent and can be due to denervations caused by a surgical operation (Hirschsprung's operation, for example). Abnormalities of the baso-receptors have also been observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• Authors: J Duhamel, P Pernin
• Journal: Annales de gastroenterologie et d'hepatologie (Ann Gastroenterol Hepatol (Paris)) Vol. 21 Issue 6 Pg. 361-2 (Dec 1985) ISSN: 0066-2070 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Prolapsus anal de l'enfant.
• PMID: 4096498 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Child, Preschool
• Humans
• Rectal Prolapse