Determination of Normal Anal Position Index in Syrian Neonates
Ayman Alkhamisy1*, Pery Barmada2, Joudi Habbash2, Joud Serjeah2 and Mohamad Morjan1
1Pediatric surgery section, Faculty of Medicine, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
2Medical intern, Faculty of Medicine, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
*Corresponding Author: Ayman Alkhamisy, Pediatric surgery section, Faculty of Medicine, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.
Received: July 12, 2022 Published: July 20, 2022
Abstract
Background: The anal position index (API) has been studied in different countries and varies with race. This paper presents the first study to identify an API in Syrian neonates with the aim of early diagnosis of an anterior displaced anus (ADA) and its association with constipation in infancy.
Materials and methods: Between September 2021 to April 2022, this cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 neonates (113 males and 87 females) without any external malformation at Aleppo university hospital in Aleppo, Syria. The position of the anus was numerically identified by the API, which is the ratio of anus-fourchette distance in females and anus-scrotum distance in males to the distance between coccyx and fourchette/scrotum. Our method includes adhesive tape that was used longitudinally parallel to the mid-perineum. Then fourchette/scrotum, anus center, and the lower margin of the coccyx were marked on it. Distances marked on each tape were then measured with a simple ruler. The relationship between API and other parameters was analyzed.
Results: The API values were 0.56+0.1 (95% CI: 0.54–0.58) for newborn males and 0.45±0.09 (95% CI: 0.43–0.47) for newborn females. The difference in API between males and females was significant (p-value = 0.01)
Conclusion: API in Syrian neonates was similar to other ethnic populations. API is higher significantly in males. There is no correlation between API and birth weight, length, or head circumference. We recommend that API to put into practice as an objective reliable parameter in the neonatal period because it is easily measured and contributes to the early diagnosis of ADA.
Keywords: anal position index, anterior displaced anus, ectopic anus, neonate
Citation: Alkhamisy A, Barmada P, Habbash J, Serjeah J, Morjan M. “Determination of Normal Anal Position Index in Syrian Neonates”. SVOA Paediatrics 2022, 1:4, 90-94.