Uncommon Infant and Newborn Problems—Colonic Diseases

Also called: Large intestine diseases

Your colon, also known as the large intestine, is part of your digestive system. It’s a long, hollow tube at the end of your digestive tract where your body makes and stores stool. Many disorders affect the colon’s ability to work properly. Some of these include

Colorectal cancer
Colonic polyps – extra tissue growing in the colon that can become cancerous
Ulcerative colitis – ulcers of the colon and rectum
Diverticulitis – inflammation or infection of pouches in the colon
Irritable bowel syndrome – an uncomfortable condition causing abdominal cramping and other symptoms

Treatment for colonic diseases varies greatly depending on the disease and its severity. Treatment may involve diet, medicines and in some cases, surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Angiodysplasia of the colon (Medical Encyclopedia)
Colitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
Colonoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)
Hirschsprung disease (Medical Encyclopedia)
Intestinal ischemia and infarction (Medical Encyclopedia)
Large bowel resection (Medical Encyclopedia)
Lower GI Series – NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

It can be scary when your baby is sick, especially when it is not an everyday problem like a cold or a fever. You may not know whether the problem is serious or how to treat it. If you have concerns about your baby’s health, call your health care provider right away.

Learning information about your baby’s condition can help ease your worry. Do not be afraid to ask questions about your baby’s care. By working together with your health care provider, you make sure that your baby gets the best care possible.