New Zealand baby born without anus undergoes multiple surgeries

A child named Archi was born in New Zealand in December 2020 without an anus, a form of congenital anorectal malformation. Shortly after birth his mother, Harata Jemmel, discovered that feces were exiting through his urethra and penis. He was transferred to a major hospital where surgeons created a colostomy, connecting part of his colon to the abdominal wall to divert waste.

Over the next three years Archi has undergone nine surgeries. Complications have included stoma prolapse, severe constipation, abdominal distension, and the formation of diverticula and urinary stones. At 15 months a reconstructive operation attempted to restore a normal bowel passage, but ongoing issues required a second colostomy in September 2023. Doctors plan a tenth operation to close the stoma and re‑establish bowel function as he continues to grow.

The condition affects roughly one in 3,500‑5,000 newborns worldwide, with unknown causes and often associated with other organ anomalies. Long‑term management involves careful surgical planning and ongoing bowel care.