For Patients/Families

Malrotation of the intestine
Intestine that is not placed correctly in the abdomen. As the intestine finds its final position in the abdomen it should rotate and lay in a specific orientation. Sometimes this orientation is not achieved. A thick band of tissue often lays against and crosses the upper small bowel, which causes blockage of the intestine. Because the intestine is not properly placed in the abdomen, it also can twist on itself and cut off its own blood supply. Some people have malrotation all their lives and never have problems with it. Others have problems with intestinal obstruction in the newborn period.