Esophageal atresia is a digestive disorder 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. 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).
In addition, infants with EA/TEF often have tracheomalacia. This is a weakness and floppiness of the walls of the windpipe, which can cause breathing to sound high-pitched or noisy.
Some babies with EA/TEF have other defects as well, most commonly heart defects.
Symptoms of EA may include:
EA is a surgical emergency. Surgery to repair the esophagus is done as soon as possible after birth so that the lungs are not damaged and the baby can be fed.
Before the surgery, the baby is not fed by mouth and will need intravenous (IV) nutrition. Care is taken to prevent the travel of breathing secretions into the lungs.
Russell Jennings is a General Surgeon and a Pediatric Surgeon in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Jennings has been practicing medicine for over 36 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Atresia. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Esophageal Atresia, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Gastrointestinal Fistula, and Double Aortic Arch. He is licensed to treat patients in Massachusetts.
Charles Smithers is a Pediatric Surgeon and a General Surgeon in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Smithers has been practicing medicine for over 23 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Atresia. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Esophageal Atresia, Diaphragmatic Hernia, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, and Hernia. He is licensed to treat patients in Florida. Dr. Smithers is currently accepting new patients.
Michael Manfredi is a Pediatrics specialist and a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Manfredi has been practicing medicine for over 26 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Esophageal Atresia. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Esophageal Atresia, Tracheoesophageal Fistula, Esophageal Perforation, and Gastrointestinal Fistula. He is board certified in Pediatric Medicine and Gastroenterology and licensed to treat patients in Massachusetts. Dr. Manfredi is currently accepting new patients.
An early diagnosis gives a better chance of a good outcome.
The infant may breathe saliva and 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.
Call your baby's provider right away if the baby vomits repeatedly after feedings, or if the baby develops breathing difficulties.
Published Date : August 25, 2019
Published By : Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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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 Saunders; 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 Saunders; 2019:chap 26.