Overview
Digestive duplication (also called gastrointestinal duplication or enteric duplication cyst) is a rare birth defect where an extra, abnormal pouch or tube of tissue forms alongside part of the digestive tract. This extra structure looks similar to normal digestive tissue on the inside, but it does not connect properly to the rest of the gut. It can occur anywhere from the mouth to the rectum, but it is most commonly found near the small intestine. The condition is present from birth, forming during early fetal development when the digestive tube is first taking shape. The extra tissue can cause problems by pressing on nearby organs, becoming infected, bleeding, or twisting. Some children have no symptoms at first, while others develop pain, vomiting, or swelling in the belly shortly after birth or in early childhood. In some cases, the duplication is found by accident during imaging for another reason. Treatment is almost always surgery to remove the extra tissue. When caught early and treated with surgery, most children do very well and can expect a normal life. This condition is listed as 'obsolete' in some medical databases because it is now classified under more specific subtypes, but the general term is still widely used by patients and families.
Key symptoms:
Abdominal pain or crampingSwollen or bloated bellyNausea and vomitingDifficulty feeding in infantsBlood in the stoolA lump or mass felt in the abdomenConstipation or difficulty passing stoolWeight loss or poor weight gain in infantsRepeated respiratory infections (if duplication is near the chest)Fever due to infection of the cyst
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Where exactly is the duplication located, and how does that affect the surgical approach?,Can the entire duplication be removed, or will some tissue remain?,What are the risks of surgery, and what is the expected recovery time?,Will my child need any dietary changes or restrictions after surgery?,How often will follow-up imaging be needed after surgery?,What symptoms should prompt me to bring my child to the emergency room?,Is there any chance this condition could come back or affect other parts of the digestive tract?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication
What is OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication?
Digestive duplication (also called gastrointestinal duplication or enteric duplication cyst) is a rare birth defect where an extra, abnormal pouch or tube of tissue forms alongside part of the digestive tract. This extra structure looks similar to normal digestive tissue on the inside, but it does not connect properly to the rest of the gut. It can occur anywhere from the mouth to the rectum, but it is most commonly found near the small intestine. The condition is present from birth, forming during early fetal development when the digestive tube is first taking shape. The extra tissue can cau
How is OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication inherited?
OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Digestive duplication is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.