Congenital anomalies of the large bowel are not very rare. The commonest congenital lesions of the large bowel are anomalies of rotation and peritoneum attachment, megacolon and microcolon, atresia and stenosis. Many such cases have been recorded and discussed fully in the literature. The case presented here illustrates the extremely rare abnormality of absence of most of the colon.
Report of Case
History.—A 3-day-old female infant was admitted to Ottawa General Hospital, on Aug. 18, 1958, because of persistent vomiting since birth. The mother had threatened abortion about the eighth week of pregnancy; the baby was delivered at full term, weighing 6 lb. 2 oz. (2,790 gm.). The parents were French Canadians without consanguinity.Physical Examination.—Restless baby of average build, temperature 95.8 F (axillary), pulse 140/minute and respiration 24/minute. Left hand was normal; the right hand showed syndactylism between index, middle, and ring fingers. The left foot revealed