What are the symptoms of duodenal atresia?

What are the symptoms of duodenal atresia?

In the first few hours after birth, most babies with duodenal atresia experience vomiting. The vomit may be yellow, green or light brown. A baby may vomit after the first feeding. Vomiting worsens if left untreated. In these cases, it is important to distinguish duodenal atresia from malrotation.

Babies may also experience:

• Low birth weight.
• Premature birth.
• Swelling in the upper abdomen (belly).

Patients with partial blockages of the duodenum may still present with vomiting in infancy if the blockage is bad enough. Less severe, partial blockages may also present later in childhood. Late presenting symptoms are more varied and include:

• Regurgitation.
• Indigestion.
• Pain.
• Malabsorption.
• Abdominal mass.