Cloacal exstrophy is a pediatric fecal diversion condition.

• A. Cloacal exstrophy
• B. Meconium ileus
• C. Gastroschisis
• D. NEC

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing which pediatric condition is classically defined by the need to divert stool. Cloacal exstrophy is a severe congenital anomaly where the hindgut and urinary tract malformations create a shared opening, and surgical management typically involves creating a fecal (and often urinary) diversion such as a stoma as part of staged reconstruction. That clear association with stool diversion makes it the best answer.

Meconium ileus is an obstruction from thick meconium and is treated to relieve the blockage, not defined by creating a diversion. Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect with exposed viscera, not primarily about fecal diversion. NEC is a serious neonatal bowel disease that can require diversion in some cases, but its central issue is inflammation and necrosis, not the standard concept of a fecal diversion condition.