Gastrointestinal congenital anomalies requiring surgery: diagnosis, counselling, and management

Abstract

Congenital anomalies affect more than 2% of fetuses in the UK, with 70% noncardiac in origin. Around 10% are gastrointestinal anomalies such as abdominal wall defects and intestinal atresias. Most gastrointestinal anomalies require postnatal surgical management. Obstetricians must understand the key features of diagnosis and management of common gastrointestinal anomalies. Clinically relevant and evidence‐based information helps facilitate parental reproductive autonomy through timely and informed counselling, planning for delivery and optimising perinatal outcomes. Management of pregnancies complicated by congenital gastrointestinal anomalies requires a multidisciplinary approach with specialist input.