Contemporary etiology and diagnostic pathways in neonatal intestinal obstruction

Abstract

Neonatal intestinal obstruction remains a critical surgical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality. The etiology of these obstructions is diverse, ranging from congenital atresias to functional disorders. While classic clinical and radiographic signs form the diagnostic cornerstone, advances in prenatal imaging and postnatal modalities have significantly refined diagnostic pathways. This article reviews the contemporary etiological landscape of neonatal intestinal obstruction, emphasizing the relative prevalence and pathological basis of common and rare causes. It further delineates a modern, systematic diagnostic algorithm that integrates prenatal suspicion, clinical presentation, targeted radiography, and advanced contrast studies. The objective is to provide a comprehensive framework that expedites accurate diagnosis, facilitates timely surgical referral, and ultimately improves neonatal outcomes by minimizing diagnostic delay and its associated complications.