- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Helping With Homework
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy & Newborn Center
- Pregnancy & Baby
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center for Kids
- Cancer Center for Kids
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center for Kids
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Kids
- Recipes & Cooking for Kids
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A for Kids
- The Heart
- Videos for Kids
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center for Teens
- Be Your Best Self
- Cancer Center for Teens
- Diabetes Center for Teens
- Diseases & Conditions (for Teens)
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center for Teens
- Homework Help for Teens
- Infections (for Teens)
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Teens
- Recipes for Teens
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos for Teens
- Body
- Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Intestinal Malrotation
May also be called: Volvulus, Ladd's Bands
Malrotation is twisting of the intestines (bowel). It happens when a baby's intestines don't develop properly in the uterus (womb).
More to Know
A twist in the bowel can block food from moving through the digestive system. A very bad twist might cut off blood flow to the bowel. When that happens, the bowel starts to die.
Most of the time, doctors discover a malrotation in a baby's first year of life. Babies whose bowels are twisted usually shows signs of belly pain and cramps by pulling up their legs and crying. A baby with a malrotation often has a swollen belly, throws up, has diarrhea (sometimes with blood), or can't poop at all.
Some people with malrotation don't have problems and go through life without knowing they have it.
Fixing a malrotation often means surgery. After the problem is fixed, most kids grow and develop normally.
Keep in Mind
Intestinal malrotation can be an emergency. Go to the ER right away if a child has a swollen, tender belly and throws up bile (yellow or green liquid) or has bloody stools (poop).
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.