Esophageal atresia is a birth defect in which the esophagus does not develop properly. The esophagus is the tube that normally carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital defect. This means it occurs before birth. There are several types of EA. In most cases, the upper esophagus ends and does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach.
Most infants with EA have another defect called tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). This is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the windpipe (trachea).
Often, infants with EA/TEF also have tracheomalacia. When this occurs, the walls of the trachea are weak and floppy, causing high-pitched or noisy breathing.
At least half of babies with EA/TEF have other defects as well, most often heart defects.
Symptoms of EA may include:
EA is an emergency. Surgery is done as soon as possible after birth.
Before the surgery, and for some time afterward, the baby is not fed by mouth. Instead, the baby is fed either:
Care is taken to keep the baby from breathing saliva or other fluids into the lungs.
Russell Jennings is a Pediatric Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Boston, Massachusetts. Jennings has been practicing medicine for over 37 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Atresia. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Esophageal Atresia, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Gastrointestinal Fistula, Double Aortic Arch, and Endoscopy.
Frederic Gottrand practices in Lille, France. Gottrand is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Atresia. He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Esophageal Atresia, Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Endoscopy, and Liver Transplant.
Dick Tibboel practices in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Tibboel is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Atresia. He is also highly rated in 31 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Esophageal Atresia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hernia, and Endoscopy.
An early diagnosis gives a better chance of a good outcome.
The infant may breathe saliva or other fluids into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia, choking, and possibly death.
Other complications may include:
Prematurity may complicate the condition. As noted above, there may also be defects in other areas of the body.
This disorder is usually diagnosed shortly after birth.
Contact your baby's provider right away if the baby vomits repeatedly after feedings, or if the baby develops breathing difficulties.
Summary: This trial will compare the effectiveness of two common surgical practices for Type C esophageal atresia repair: esophageal atresia (EA) with distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Infants with EA/TEF requiring surgical intervention will be recruited. Subjects will be randomized to either repair with or without transanstomotic tube (TT) during esophageal anastomosis creation. Primary outcome is s...
Published Date: July 18, 2021
Published By: Kimberly G. Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dingeldein M. Selected gastrointestinal anomalies in the neonate. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 84.
Rothenberg SS. Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula malformations. In: Holcomb GW, Murphy JP, St. Peter SD, eds. Holcomb and Ashcraft's Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 27.
Wolf RB. Abdominal imaging. In: Resnik R, Lockwood CJ, Moore TR, Greene MF, Copel JA, Silver RM, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 26.