An imperforate anus or anal atresia is a birth defectin which
the rectumis malformed. Its cause is unknown. - 1 Features - 2
Treatment - 3 Prognosis - 4 Epidemiology - 5 References There
are several forms of imperforate anus: - A low lesion, in which
the colonremains close to the skin. In this case, there may be a
stenosis(narrowing) of the anus, or the anus may be missing
altogether, with the rectumending in a blind pouch. - A high
lesion, in which the colonis higher up in the pelvisand there is
a fistulaconnecting the rectum and the bladder, urethraor the
vagina. - A cloaca(named after the analogous orifice in
amphibians), where the rectum, vagina and colon are joined into
a single opening. Imperforate anus usually presents along with
other birth defects—spinalproblems, anal atresia, heartproblems,
tracheoesophageal fistula, esophageal atresia, renalanomalies,
and limbanomalies. Imperforate anus usually requires immediate
surgeryto open a passage for faeces. Depending on the severity
of the imperforate, it