Intestinal Malrotation is Often Misdiagnosed

Condition Commonly Mistaken for Acid Reflux or Colic

Little Jaylen and his parents, Aaron and Dianna

Dianna Green was concerned when her son, Jaylen, seemed to vomit after nearly every feeding. Doctors told her it was likely colic, or just simple "spit up."

But Dianna believed it could be something more -- perhaps malrotation, a condition where the bowels do not form and twist properly, which can cut off blood flow to the intestine and can lead to intestinal blockages. Though the condition is not considered to be hereditary, Dianna was diagnosed with malrotation at 14, and had surgery at the University of Chicago to correct it.

Dianna asked that Jaylen receive an ultrasound test, which ultimately confirmed that the 2-month-old did have malrotation.

All kids vomit occasionally. But projectile vomiting, along with green or yellow vomit, are possible warning signs of malrotation. Malrotation occurs in approximately one in 500 births, and is as common as spina bifida and cerebral palsy. In some cases, if malrotation is left untreated, it can cause serious, life-threatening problems.

Donald Liu, MD, PhD

Currently, approximately 100 people die each year from complications of malrotation, most commonly midgut volvulus, or twisting of the bowels that could have been surgically treated. "Bloody bowel movements are another sign, albeit late, often leading to bowel necrosis, shock and death," said Donald Liu, MD, PhD, surgeon-in-chief of Comer Children's Hospital. » Learn more about malrotation and volvulus

Given Dianna's history with the University of Chicago Medical Center, she arranged to make the five-hour trip from Carbondale, Ill., to Comer Children's Hospital for Jaylen's surgery. While the location of the infant's surgery was the same as his mom's, the procedure had improved quite a bit in the nine years since Dianna had her surgery.

Dr. Liu performed Jaylen's surgery using minimally invasive techniques, an approach that involves the use of sophisticated instruments to do the surgery through small incisions. Benefits of minimally invasive surgery include less risk for infection, minimal scarring and a quicker recovery. Length of stay in the hospital is typically reduced to a day or so, whereas Green was hospitalized for five days.

"I think it's great that Jaylen won't have a large scar, which is a constant reminder of my surgery, " said Green. "It's a testament to all the medical advances that have occurred in the past few years."