BACKGROUND: Straining at stool is an automatic reflex in babies and implies the presence of rectal sensation. We hypothesised that early reported rectal sensation would predict future continence in @entity1 with @entity10645 . AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to determine if early straining at stool was a useful predictor of future continence in @entity1 born with high @entity2463 . METHODS: A retrospective case note review of prospectively collected clinical information was performed with institutional review board approval. All @entity1 with intermediate/high @entity2463 operated on by a single surgeon from 1984 to 2010 were included. After stoma closure, parents were asked: The responses were noted within the first year of stoma closure and then all @entity1 were followed up until they were at least 3   years old and continence could be assessed using the Krickenbeck outcome classification. Data were compared using Fisher's exact test and sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value ( @entity2286 ) were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-eight @entity1 were included in the study. Sixteen (33%) were female (12 cloacal @entity600 , 3 @entity3622 , 1 @entity5584 ) and 32 (66%) were male (6 rectovesical fistulae, 22 rectourethral fistulae, 4 no @entity292 ). Median follow-up was 9.7years (range 3.5-17.9). Twenty-one @entity1 were noted by their parents to exhibit early straining at stool after stoma closure. Twenty of them achieved long term continence. The sensitivity of early straining as a predictor for long term continence was 77%, specificity 95% and positive predictive value 95%. CONCLUSION: The presence of early rectal sensation reported by parents is a good predictor of long term continence. This allows more informed discussion with families in the early years of life.

Early reported rectal sensation predicts continence in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'patients', 'infants'] @entity10645 :: ('MESH:C567938', 'Disease') :: ['anorectal anomalies'] @entity2286 :: ('12211', 'Species') :: ['PPV'] @entity2463 :: ('MESH:C537771', 'Disease') :: ['anorectal malformations', 'anorectal malformation'] @entity600 :: ('MESH:D000014', 'Disease') :: ['malformation'] @entity3622 :: ('MESH:D012006', 'Disease') :: ['rectovaginal fistula'] @entity5584 :: ('MESH:D012002', 'Disease') :: ['rectal atresia'] @entity292 :: ('MESH:D005402', 'Disease') :: ['fistula']
@entity10645 :: (MESH:C567938,Disease) :: ['anorectal anomalies']
