Esophageal atresia is
a birth defect of the swallowing tube (esophagus) that connects the mouth to the stomach
. In a baby with esophageal atresia, the esophagus has two separate sections—the upper and lower esophagus—that do not connect.
What are the symptoms of esophageal atresia?
- Bluish-colored skin when feeding.
- Choking, coughing or gagging when feeding.
- Foamy mucus in the mouth.
- Spitting up or drooling.
- Trouble breathing.
How do you repair esophageal atresia?
In most cases of tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair,
the surgeon cuts through the abnormal connection (fistula) between the windpipe and esophagus and then sews together the two ends of the esophagus
. The windpipe is also repaired.
Can esophageal atresia be cured?
If a tracheoesophageal fistula is present, it must be surgically closed soon after birth. During fistula closure, if the gap between the two ends of the esophagus is small, they will be sewn together and the
esophageal atresia will be repaired
.
What is esophageal atresia associated with?
Esophageal atresia is incomplete formation of the esophagus, frequently associated with
tracheoesophageal fistula
. Diagnosis is suspected by failure to pass a nasogastric or orogastric tube. Treatment is surgical repair.
What is the most common esophageal atresia?
Type C
is the most common type. In this type the upper part of the esophagus has a closed end and the lower part of the esophagus is attached to the trachea, as is shown in the drawing. Type D is the rarest and most severe.
Can esophageal atresia detected ultrasound?
Ultrasound alone is a
poor diagnostic tool for identifying esophageal atresia
prenatally, and has a high rate of false positive diagnoses. Magnetic resonance imaging and amniotic fluid analysis have high diagnostic accuracy for esophageal atresia.
How do you feed a baby with esophageal atresia?
Serve your child
several small meals during the day
. Many children need to eat five or six small meals throughout the day after esophageal atresia or tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) repair. Aim for meals every three or four hours. Do not let mealtimes last more than 30 minutes.
Is esophageal atresia genetic?
Esophageal atresia / tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) can
occur as an isolated finding
, as part of a genetic syndrome, or as part of a non-isolated (but not syndromic) set of findings. Most individuals with EA/TEF represent simplex cases (i.e., the only affected member of the family).
What are the complications of esophageal atresia?
Late complications of EA/TEF include
tracheomalacia
, a recurrence of the TEF, esophageal stricture, and gastroesophageal reflux. These complications may lead to a brassy or honking-type cough, dysphagia, recurrent pneumonia, obstructive and restrictive ventilatory defects, and airway hyperreactivity.
What happens after esophageal atresia surgery?
Most children need
a breathing tube for several days
after the operation and a drainage tube from the chest until at least a week after surgery, when doctors can be sure there are no leaks from the new connection in the esophagus. If things go well, babies may begin to feed by mouth about a week after surgery.
Can a baby be born without a stomach?
Babies who have
an omphalocele
, on the other hand, truly are born without a belly button. The intestines or other abdominal organs protrude through a hole in the middle of the baby’s abdomen, right where the belly button would be.
What is the difference between esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula?
Esophageal atresia (EA) occurs when the upper part of the esophagus does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an
abnormal connection
between the upper part of the esophagus and the trachea or windpipe.
What causes esophagus to detach from stomach?
Esophageal ruptures are tears that penetrate the wall of the esophagus. Ruptures can be caused by
surgical procedures, severe vomiting, or swallowing a large piece of food that becomes stuck
in the esophagus, but some ruptures occur spontaneously.
How will esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula affect an infant?
When a baby with a TE fistula swallows,
the liquid can pass through the abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea
. When this happens, liquid gets into the baby’s lungs. This can cause pneumonia and other problems.
What does atresia mean in English?
1 :
absence or closure of a natural passage of the body
. 2 : absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (such as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration.
