Does presence of a VACTERL anomaly predict an associated Gynecologic anomaly in females with anorectal malformations?: A Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium Study

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are congenital anomalies in the newborn with an estimated incidence of 1 in 5000 live births [1, 2]. ARMs are widely associated with other congenital anomalies with the rate between 20-70% [3]. These associations may be a part of VACTERL (vertebral anomalies, anorectal malformation, cardiovascular anomalies, trachea-esophageal fistula, renal and limb anomalies). VACTERL was originally described by Quan and Smith in 1973 as VATER and later in 1974 as VACTERL once the cardiac and limb associations were included by Temtamy and Miller [4].