ABSTRACT
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are common causes of referral for neonatal surgery. Congenital abnormalities may be detected antenatally or present early in the neonatal period. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is usually managed medically, but surgery is indicated in some cases. Pyloric stenosis, inguinal hernias and intussusception may present in early infancy. Other congenital abnormalities which may require early surgical intervention include congenital heart defects, cleft lip and palate, choanal atresia, congenital lung malformations (e.g. congenital lobar emphysema), urological problems (e.g. posterior urethral valves), sacrococcygeal tumours and biliary atresia, and some of these are discussed elsewhere.
