Quantifying the impact of congenital cardiac co-morbidities on anorectal malformations

Anorectal malformations (ARM) are frequently associated with congenital heart defects (CHD) (prevalence 10–40 %). Cardiac ARM patients, particularly those requiring surgery, tend to experience delays in definitive anorectal reconstruction whilst awaiting favourable cardiac status. We sought to quantify these delays and evaluate CHD's impact on surgical complications.