Department of Neonatology, Centre for Child Health, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. E-mail: neelamkler@live.in
Radiological imaging is important in the evaluation of various gastrointestinal disorders of neonates, both congenital and acquired. Neonates have non-specific symptoms like abdominal distension and vomiting for which the underlying cause may or may not be clinically apparent. Obstructions and necrotising enterocolitis are the commonest disorders presenting in the neonatal period. A wide variety of modalities are available to diagnose these disorders with radiographs being the commonest and most easily available. Ultrasonography and contrast studies are required as adjunctive measures to X-ray and the indications for computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging are relatively few. Appropriate radiological investigations help in establishing the diagnosis and guiding appropriate surgical intervention when required.
