Dr Prashant Jain

Anorectal malformation in India (ARM) —also known as imperforate anus or absent anal opening —is a congenital defect in which the rectum and anus do not develop properly during early pregnancy. This condition prevents a newborn from passing stool normally and requires surgical intervention soon after birth. ARM is relatively rare, occurring in approximately 1 in every 5,000 live births , with a slightly higher incidence in male infants . What Happens in Anorectal Malformation? In a baby born with this condition, several abnormalitie      s may be observed: The anal opening may be absent , misplaced, or too narrow. The rectum may end blindly or connect abnormally to the urinary tract , bladder , vagina , or vestibule , leading to infection risk or bowel obstruction . In severe cases, the rectum, urinary system, and reproductive organs may merge into a single common channel known as a cloaca , through which both urine and stool pass. How Is It Diagnosed? T...

Hirschsprung’s disease is a congenital condition that primarily affects the large intestine (colon) and is characterized by the absence of nerve cells (ganglion cells) in a portion of the bowel. These nerve cells play a crucial role in regulating peristalsis—the muscular contractions that help move food and stool through the digestive tract. In the absence of these cells, the affected segment of the intestine becomes non-functional, leading to blockage, chronic constipation, and abdominal distension. During fetal development, nerve cells normally grow from the top of the gastrointestinal tract (starting at the esophagus) to the bottom (ending at the anus). In children with Hirschsprung’s disease, this migration is incomplete, leaving part of the colon without nerve cells. As a result, the muscles in that section cannot properly contract, preventing the normal movement of stool. This condition is more common in males than females and usually becomes apparent in the neonatal period. Ho...

Hypospadias is a congenital condition seen in baby boys where the opening of the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis but along its underside. This condition develops during fetal growth between 8–14 weeks of pregnancy. The severity can vary, with the opening positioned near the tip (distal) or closer to the scrotum (proximal). In many cases, surgery is required to correct the position of the opening and to straighten the penis if needed. Types of Hypospadia s: The Classification Depends on the Position of the Urethral Opening: Subcoronal: Near the head of the penis Midshaft: Along the penile shaft Penoscrotal: At the junction of the penis and scrotum These variations often determine the complexity of the surgery and post-operative care. Common Features of Hypospadias: Apart from the Misplaced Urethral Opening, Children with Hypospadias May Have: A Hooded Foreskin Penile Curvature (chordee) Abnormal Urine Stream Direction In severe cases, this m...