About apple peel syndrome

What is apple peel syndrome?

Jejunal Atresia is a rare genetic disorder. Patients with this disorder are born with a partial absence of the fold of the stomach membrane that connects the small intestine to the back wall of the abdomen. As a result, one of the three portions of the small intestine (the jejunal) twists around one of the arteries of the colon called the marginal artery and causes a blockage (atresia). Symptoms in individuals with this disorder include vomiting, a swollen abdomen, and constipation.

What are the symptoms for apple peel syndrome?

Apple peel syndrome is also known as apple peel intestinal atresia.

  • It is a unique form of small bowel atresia, in which the small intestine opens up in a blind pouch, and the distal small bowel wraps around its blood supply in a spiral resembling an apple peel.
  • It is a birth defect caused by a mutation change. Apple peel syndrome is commonly found in newborns.
  • Moreover, it reflects the following symptoms:
  • Usually, a newborn baby with this syndrome vomits within six hours of birth because the air and gases will not pass to the other parts of the intestine.
  • Cramps in the abdomen frequently occur. The cramps can range from mild to heavy, depending on the intensity of the situation.
  • The person might experience frequent Vomiting because intakes can’t process down to the large intestine due to the absence or blockage in the small intestine passage.
  • The person might feel nauseous due to inadequate food digestion in the body.
  • The patient will experience swelling in the abdomen frequently.
  • Inability to have bowel movements
  • Loss of appetite.


Conditions
Occlusion of the jejunum,Resorption of the mesentery,A wrapping of a large part of the small intestine in a spiral around a thin vascular stalk consisting of the left branch of the ileocolic artery
Drugs
Once the baby is stabilized surgery is the only option for this syndrome.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain and swelling,Vomiting,Inability to have a bowel movement,Loss of appetite

What are the causes for apple peel syndrome?

Apple peel syndrome, also known as the Christmas tree intestinal atresia is a rare form of small bowel atresia in which the proximal jejunum or duodenum opens in a blind pouch, and the distal small bowel wraps around its blood supply in a spiral that looks similar to apple peels.

  • It is a birth defect caused due to mutation change of genes resulting in blockage in the small intestine.
  • This condition is found in babies and is often curable with surgeries and medication.
  • Once the baby reaches the healthy stage of operation the doctors can perform surgery and fix this birth disorder.
  • However, the doctors can’t find the actual cause of this syndrome but experts find the following as the cause.


The cause of the apple peel syndrome are as follows:

  • Reduced blood supply: As per researchers and experts the reduced blood supply to the baby while he is developing in the womb is regarded as a significant reason for the apple peel syndrome. The insignificant blood supply to the baby’s intestine results in the improper growth of the small intestine. However, it is curable once the baby reaches the stage of surgical operation.
  • Cystic fibrosis: It is an inherited genetic disorder that leads to damage to digestive tracts and other organs of the body. Moreover, it disturbs the cells that produce digestive juice, sweat, and mucus leading to disturbance in the small intestine.


Conditions
Occlusion of the jejunum,Resorption of the mesentery,A wrapping of a large part of the small intestine in a spiral around a thin vascular stalk consisting of the left branch of the ileocolic artery
Drugs
Once the baby is stabilized surgery is the only option for this syndrome.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain and swelling,Vomiting,Inability to have a bowel movement,Loss of appetite

What are the treatments for apple peel syndrome?

A small intestine bowel disorder leads to the opening of the first part of the small intestine duodenum into the open pouch, and the proximal small bowels wrap around the vascular supply in a spiral shape that gives the resemblance to the apple peels called apple peel syndrome. It is a birth defect in the newborn because of which they can't process the food inside their body.

The treatment for the apple peel syndrome:

  • The Apple peel syndrome can be detected in the womb with the help of prenatal ultrasound and fetal MRI. However, it only is diagnosed and cured once the mother delivers the baby.
  • A series of X-rays of the baby's belly has been taken.
  • This series of X-rays is known as contract studies.
  • In this procedure, the doctor provides the baby with a liquid containing dye into the baby's belly either orally or through a pipe connected to the child's rectum.
  • This helps the doctors to mark the tract of the surgery.
  • The doctors insert a tube into the baby's stomach through the mouth or nose.
  • It empties the baby's stomach and keeps the gas out.
  • After all these procedures, surgery is performed on the child to fiX apple peel syndrome.


Conditions
Occlusion of the jejunum,Resorption of the mesentery,A wrapping of a large part of the small intestine in a spiral around a thin vascular stalk consisting of the left branch of the ileocolic artery
Drugs
Once the baby is stabilized surgery is the only option for this syndrome.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain and swelling,Vomiting,Inability to have a bowel movement,Loss of appetite

What are the risk factors for apple peel syndrome?

The partial blockage in the small intersite results in the formation of a small intestine in shapes spiral resampling to the apple peels is termed Apple peel syndrome. This syndrome is found in newborn babies and can be detected through X-rays and ultrasounds. Moreover, this syndrome can be detected when the baby is in the womb but can be diagnosed and treated only after birth.

Risk factors associated with the Apple peel syndrome:

  • Genetics: genetics plays an important role in the development of the child. However, if the child has inherited faulty genetics from the parents, it may result in this syndrome. The mutation in genetics is one of the common risks associated with apple peel syndrome.
  • Poor prenatal care: The lack of care for mother and child can lead to this bowel syndrome. Pregnant women should be provided with proper medicines, food, and nurture to deliver a healthy baby and avoid such deadly circumstances for the baby.
  • Low birth weight: This is also associated with poor prenatal care. Low birth weight results in a lack of supply of food and blood to the baby, which may result in apple peel syndrome.


Conditions
Occlusion of the jejunum,Resorption of the mesentery,A wrapping of a large part of the small intestine in a spiral around a thin vascular stalk consisting of the left branch of the ileocolic artery
Drugs
Once the baby is stabilized surgery is the only option for this syndrome.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain and swelling,Vomiting,Inability to have a bowel movement,Loss of appetite

Is there a cure/medications for apple peel syndrome?

Apple peel syndrome is a rear birth child disorder that leads to obstruction and blockage of the baby’s small intestine. However, there is a cure and treatment for apple peel syndrome but it is only surgical. But before surgery, the doctor needs to diagnose the child with various tests to ensure stable health of the child. The parents might expect the baby to stay in the hospital for the next 4 to six weeks after the surgery. Moreover, there is no restriction on bathing and other activities after the release. But the child may require proper medication and ointments after the release. The only cure for the apple peel syndrome is surgery Open surgery: this is performed by making one large cut into the child’s belly. Laparoscopic surgery: This surgery involves three to four tiny cuts on the belly through which the doctor insert tube. Moreover, the tube has a small camera to see the defects in the bowel and tools do the surgery.

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