Advances in the Management of the Neonate Born with an Anorectal Malformation

Anorectal malformations occur in 1 in 3000 to 5000 children, and present with a marked variety in type and severity. Most of the malformations are diagnosed in the early neonatal period, as an antenatal diagnosis remains relatively elusive. Following diagnosis, an accurate assessment and focused management is crucial to reduce the potential for morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the investigation and management of newborns with anorectal malformations, and the introduction of novel assessment tools for the more complex malformation types.