In the United States, about one of every 500 children is born with intestinal malrotation. Although intestinal malrotation can occur in older children (or even adults), up to 90% of patients are diagnosed by age one – many within the first week after birth.

How common is intestinal malrotation in adults?

Adult midgut malrotation is very rare and its incidence has been reported to be between 0.0001% and 0.19% [3, 4]. Most adult diagnoses of midgut malrotation are made in asymptomatic patients; either on imaging investigations for unrelated conditions or at operations for other pathology.

Is malrotation of intestines genetic?

Intestinal malrotation is a potentially life-threatening congenital anomaly due to the risk of developing midgut volvulus. The reported incidence is 0.2%–1% and both apparently hereditary and sporadic cases have been reported.