Bilious vomiting in the newborn: rapid diagnosis of intestinal obstruction.

Bilious vomiting in newborns is an urgent condition that requires the immediate involvement of a team of pediatric surgeons and neonatologists for perioperative management. However, initial detection, evaluation and treatment are often performed by nurses, family physicians and general pediatricians. Bilious vomiting, with or without abdominal distention, is an initial sign of intestinal obstruction in newborns. A naso- or orogastric tube should be placed immediately to decompress the stomach. Physical examination should be followed by plain abdominal films. Dilated bowel loops and air-fluid levels suggest surgical obstruction. Contrast radiography may be required. Duodenal atresia, midgut malrotation and volvulus, jejunoileal atresia, meconium ileus and necrotizing enterocolitis are the most common causes of neonatal intestinal obstruction.