What is esophageal atresia?
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 causes of esophageal atresia?
The exact cause of EA is still unknown, but it appears to have some genetic components. Up to half of all babies born with EA have one or more other birth defects, such as: trisomy 13, 18 or 21. other digestive tract problems, such intestinal atresia or imperforate anus.
How do you fix 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.
How is esophageal atresia diagnosed?
An esophageal atresia diagnosis is usually confirmed with an X-ray, which shows any abnormal development of the esophagus. In rare cases, esophageal atresia is diagnosed before birth during a prenatal ultrasound. This imaging test uses sound waves to create an image of the baby on a monitor.
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 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.
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.
What happens after esophageal atresia repair?
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.
What causes tracheal esophageal fistula?
Sometimes the cause is an infection during surgery that damages the trachea. Once a TEF recurs, the increased esophageal pressure forces fluids into the airway during swallowing. Eventually the TEF becomes lined with mucosa and becomes permanent.
Can you see esophageal atresia on ultrasound?
Conclusions. 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.
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 5 types of tracheoesophageal fistula?
Esophageal atresia is closely related to tracheo-esophageal fistula and can be divided into1:
- type A: isolated esophageal atresia (8%)
- type B: proximal fistula with distal atresia (1%)
- type C: proximal atresia with distal fistula (85%)
- type D:
- type E: isolated fistula (H-type) (4%)
What are the characteristics of esophageal atresia?
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 does esophageal atresia mean?
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.
What to expect from TEF and esophageal atresia?
Frothy,white bubbles from the mouth
How do you repair a damaged esophagus?
Treatment usually involves surgery to repair the tear and remove esophageal contents from the chest cavity, combined with antibiotics to prevent or treat a bacterial infection. If the esophagus has been severely damaged, surgical removal of part or all of the esophagus may be necessary.