Maddie's results

So Madalynn went today to Children's Hospital to have an xray of her abdomen and a Upper GI. The Upper GI is pretty much like an xray but she had to drink a dye so the radiologist could see it follow through. The radiologist said that she has malrotation. I copied from a website what it is. He said that we will probably see a surgeon and he will decide if surgery is necessary or not. I am waiting to hear from the GI doctor first before we do anything. I will keep everyone updated.

What is intestinal malrotation?
Intestinal malrotation is a birth defect involving a malformation of the intestinal tract. Intestinal malrotation is an abnormality that occurs while a fetus is forming in its mother's uterus.

As a fetus is growing in its mother's uterus before birth, different organ systems are developing and maturing. The digestive tract starts off as a straight tube from the stomach to the rectum. Initially, it is located in the fetus' abdomen, but, for a while, part of the intestine moves into the umbilical cord. At about the 10th week of pregnancy, the intestine leaves the umbilical cord and goes back into the abdomen. After returning to the abdomen, the intestine makes two turns, and is no longer a straight tube. Malrotation occurs when the intestine does not make these turns as it should.

In addition, intestinal malrotation causes the cecum (the end of the small intestine) to develop abnormally. The cecum is normally located in the lower right side of the abdomen. With malrotation, the cecum and the appendix (which is attached to the cecum) stay in the upper right side of the abdomen. Bands of tissue called Ladd's bands form between the cecum and the intestinal wall and can create a blockage in the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine).

A volvulus is a problem that can occur after birth as a result of intestinal malrotation. The intestine becomes twisted, causing an intestinal blockage. This twisting can also cut off the blood flow to the intestine, and the intestine can be damaged.