BACKGROUND: Failure to pass meconium by a full-term neonate within the first 24 hours should raise a suspicion of bowel obstruction. The objective of this study was to determine pattern of presentation, diagnosis and outcome of management of intestinal obstruction in the early neonatal period in the Neonatal Care Unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

METHODS: Retrospective chart review of admitted cases from January 2011 to December 2013 was done. Data were entered into SPSS software version 20. Descriptive analysis of data were done at first; then cross tabulation of variables with chi-square tests were done

RESULT: Fifty-one (41 males and 10 females) cases of neonatal intestinal obstructions were described. ARM was the most common type of intestinal obstruction followed by intestinal atresia and Hirschsprung’s disease.

Delayed diagnosis of cases was observed in 72%. Associated congenital anomalies were documented in 13 % of the cases. Death occurred in 20% of the cases. One or another form of infection accounted for 90% of the deaths. Neonatal sepsis and being unfit for anesthesia were determinants of mortality with p-value <0.02 and < 0.0007 respectively.

CONCLUSION: Anorectal malformation is the commonest cause of early neonatal obstruction followed by small intestinal atresia and Hirschsprung’s disease. Low number of associated anomalies has been reported. High rate of death due to preventable causes such as sepsis is observed. Delayed diagnosis of cases were also prevalent.

KEYWORDS: Neonatal intestinal obstruction, Anorectal malformation, Hirschsprung’s Disease