INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RATE IN RELATION TO ANORECTAL AND OESOPHAGEAL ANOMALIES

Of 168 babies, of whom 75 had anorectal anomalies, 76 had oesophageal atresia, and 17 had both anorectal and oesophageal anomalies, 54 (32%) weighed 2500 g. or less at birth, 4 times as many as normal; and of these, 27 were born after gestations of 38 weeks or more. Gestation was significantly shorter when oesophageal and anorectal anomalies were combined than when either existed alone. Though birthweight was significantly lower than normal in babies with either oesophageal or anorectal anomalies, this reduction was more marked in both sexes with oesophageal anomalies. Babies small-for-dates showed a higher mean weight, a lower mortality rate, a lower incidence of other anomalies, and a higher incidence of twinning and hydramnios than premature infants.