Congenital intestinal disorders cover a range of birth defects—missing sections, wrong twists, or blocked tubes—that keep the gut from working on day one. Most announce themselves within hours of the first feeding.
Bilious vomiting is the red flag. Green-stained vomit appears after the first feed and keeps coming back.
No gas or stool is passed. The baby doesn’t have a normal first bowel movement, or stools stop completely.
Swollen belly shows up fast. The abdomen puffs and feels tight, sometimes with visible loops of intestine.
Pain comes in waves. The infant pulls up legs and cries hard every few minutes as the gut stretches or twists.
Lethargy sets in. The baby becomes pale, limp, and hard to wake once blood flow is cut off.
Late signs include bloody stools, fever, and a hard, tender belly—an alarm that the bowel may be dying.
| Symptom | What You See | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|
| Vomit | Green bile | First feed |
| Block | No stool/gas | Pass test |
| Swell | Tight, puffy belly | Visible loops |
| Pain | Pull legs, cry waves | Every few min |
| Limp | Pale, hard to wake | Color check |
| Late | Bloody stool, fever | With any above |