Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ Key Features ++ Common anomaly in infant girls In girls, diagnosis is made if the distance from the vaginal fourchette to the center of the anal opening is < 34% of the total distance from fourchette to coccyx In boys, the diagnosis is made if the distance from the base of the scrotum to the anal aperture is < 46% of the total distance from scrotum to coccyx +++ Clinical Findings ++ Constipation and straining with stool is usual presentation in infants On physical examination, the anus looks normal but is ventrally displaced, located close to the vaginal fourchette or to the base of the scrotum +++ Diagnosis ++ A posterior "rectal shelf" is often appreciated on internal digital examination In severe anterior displacement, when the anal opening is located < 10% of the distance from the vaginal fourchette to the coccyx, the anal sphincter muscle may not completely encircle the anal opening and severe obstipation similar to that seen in imperforate anus may occur Extreme anterior displacement of the anus may be a form of imperforate anus +++ Treatment ++ Stool softeners or occasional glycerin suppositories usually relieve straining Surgery is not needed in most cases Your MyAccess profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth