Cloacal incompetence is a congenital anomaly in which the rectum, vagina, and urinary tract are fused into one place. In normal anatomy, these openings are separate. Cloacal incompetence occurs in approximately 1 in 20,000 to 25,000 female births. The anomaly is usually diagnosed before birth and the child will require treatment soon after birth.

Cloacal septum is a rare birth defect that, if left untreated, can lead to urinary tract and genital infections. Early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of complications caused by this defect. The only treatment for cloacal septum is surgery to reconstruct the vagina, urethra and anus.

Cloacal malformation is a congenital problem that affects only girls. This malformation can be detected at birth when the rectum, urethra and vagina cannot be separated into separate tubes but instead empty into a single opening. Therefore, treatment of cloacal malformation should be indicated early with surgical measures in the first months of the child's life.