The neonatal colon: an anatomic approach to plain films.

An appreciation of haustral anatomy as well as the anatomic relationships of the colon serve as the basis of plain film colon identification in the patient beyond infancy. An evaluation of the newborn colon in the normal state and with low colonic obstruction indicates that these principles apply here as well. Newborns with suspected intestinal obstruction should be studied in multiple projections early in their clinical course. A search should be made for haustrations and characteristic anatomic relationships of the colon, as well as gas in the rectum. Although clear differentiation of large from small bowel obstruction may not always be possible, these principles should serve as a basis for a systematic approach to the newborn abdominal plain film.