Diagnostic performance and role of the contrast enema for low intestinal obstruction in neonates

This 10-year retrospective study of 366 neonatal contrast enemas evaluated diagnostic performance for low intestinal obstruction, finding high specificity (87-97%) but low sensitivity (56-66%) across conditions including Hirschsprung disease, meconium ileus, and intestinal atresia. The study demonstrates contrast enema's value for ruling in diagnoses when positive, but limited utility for exclusion given poor sensitivity.