Boy born without an anus goes to the toilet for the first time aged two
Theo Siddall, two, was born with an ultra-rare condition called ano-rectal malformation which meant he was born with no opening to his bowel
The mum of a toddler born without an anus has spoken of her “amazement” when her son went to the toilet for the first time at four months old – after surgeons created an opening.
Theo Siddall, two, was born with an ultra-rare condition called ano-rectal malformation which meant he was born with no opening to his bowel.
As a result he was unable to go to the toilet in the womb – leaving him seriously ill at birth and hours from having a perforated bowel.
Doctors had to perform dangerous surgery at 24 hours old and fitted him with a colostomy bag.
Thankfully he survived and at four months he underwent the innovative surgery – and could finally go to the toilet.
His mum, Sue Siddall, of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, said: “At four months it was the first time Theo was able to poo ‘normally’.
“It was an amazing feeling knowing he was back together, and he appeared so happy and pleased with himself as if he knew how far he had come.
“At birth he was hours from having a perforated bowel.
"The waste had built up in his tummy and he couldn’t go to the toilet.
“I didn’t know babies could be born without bum holes.”
Mrs Siddall, married to service engineer, Rob, 41, and also mum to Austin, six, learnt of her boy’s problems when he was born.
She said: “Theo’s problem didn’t show up in scans when I was pregnant.
"But within 24 hours of his birth we noticed there was something wrong when he couldn’t go to the toilet.
“He was taken to intensive care.
“He weighed 8Ibs 5oz – he was the fattest baby there, the chunky monkey in the corner.
“He had the colostomy bag and four months later at Sheffield Children’s Hospital doctors created an opening in his bottom, followed by his third operation - a reversal of the colostomy - two months later."
PA Real Life FeaturesAt just 24 hours old the youngster was given a colostomy bag - making him one of the youngest people ever to have the operationBrave boy: At just 24 hours old the youngster was given a colostomy bag - making him one of the youngest people ever to have the operation
But while Theo was able to go to the toilet he had a very sore bottom.
“This was really painful for Theo and it was awful as a parent to have to try and clean his bottom when he was crying in pain.
“Theo found it really uncomfortable to do day-to-day things such as sitting in the bath and eating his tea at the table, and he often had to stand up because his bottom was so sore.
“After more operations and investigations, the consultant told us we should consider giving Theo a colostomy again to relieve his pain.
“As parents we were heartbroken to hear this given everything Theo had been through, and in some ways it felt like a backwards step.
"But because of the amount of pain he was in, we didn’t really have a choice.”
In December 2014, Theo had his final operation to recreate his colostomy – and he has since gone from strength to strength.
His mum said: “Whilst we initially felt apprehensive about the operation, we now know it was totally the right decision for Theo.
PA Real Life FeaturesTheo Siddall, two, was born with an ultra-rare condition - no bottom holeHappier:Theo showing off his colostomy bag
"Within days of his operation was telling family members ‘my bum bum is all better’.
“He has now accepted that he wears a colostomy bag and isn’t afraid to show it off to anyone who wants to see it.”
Theo will now receive ongoing follow-ups with his consultant and regular support from his stoma nurse, Liz Scudamore, also based at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
It is possible that Theo may need further operations as he gets older, however these are a few years away yet and so, for now at least, he can concentrate on being a happy and mischievous little boy.
“If I could give any advice to other parents, it would just be that the resilience of children is amazing, how they just accept what life throws at them and carry on, with a smile on their face,” his mum said.
The decision for Theo to have his colostomy the second time round was a really hard one as a parent, but for Theo there has been no looking back.
“He feels the benefit every day, and yes we have issues with the bags leaking from time to time, but it's still better than his skin being so sore.
“With his colostomy bag Theo is a very happy and fun-loving little boy and it certainly doesn't hold him back from his rough and tumble play.”
David Vernon-Edwards, director of The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Theo is a truly inspirational youngster and we are so delighted with his progress.”
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