What is the most common type of 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.

What is the confirmatory test for an esophageal atresia?

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.

How do you fix esophageal atresia?

Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair requires an operation to close the fistula and repair the esophagus and trachea. Surgery for esophageal atresia is not considered an emergency, and is typically done when the baby is two or three days old.

Who is at risk for esophageal atresia?

Who is risk for TE fistula or esophageal atresia? Having the following issues can raise your baby’s risk for these conditions: Trisomy 13, 18, or 21. Other digestive tract problems, such as diaphragmatic hernia, duodenal atresia, or imperforate anus.

Is VACTERL life threatening?

Although children with VACTERL association may have many complications, their malformations are usually not life threatening. The treatment of VACTERL association is directed toward the specific malformations and related symptoms that occur in each individual, which often varies greatly.

Can esophageal atresia be seen on ultrasound?

The prenatal detection of esophageal atresia is possible and is based on the ultrasonographic findings of a small or absent fetal stomach bubble associated with polyhydramnios8, 9.

How is VACTERL treated?

The treatment of VACTERL association is directed toward the specific malformations and related symptoms that occur in each individual, which often varies greatly. Many of the structural abnormalities (radial defects, heart defects, anal atresia, etc.) can be surgically corrected.

What is a VACTERL baby?

VACTERL is a condition that occurs as the baby is developing in their mother’s womb and is present at birth (congenital). Researchers have identified possible genetic and environmental influences, but have not narrowed a specific cause.

Is VACTERL a rare disease?

VACTERL with hydrocephalus (VACTERL-H) is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple anatomical systems. Affected children typically present with a variety of congenital anomalies at birth, however, in some children core features of the disorder are not noted until later in life.

Is esophageal atresia more common in boys?

Esophageal atresia (EA) is reported to be more common among boys than girls [1–3].

What is esophageal atresia?

Esophageal atresia is a birth defect in which part of a baby’s esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) does not develop properly. Esophageal atresia is a birth defect of the swallowing tube (esophagus) that connects the mouth to the stomach.

What is esophageal atresia Yale Medicine?

Esophageal Atresia. At Yale Medicine, our maternal-fetal specialists are experts in treating rare conditions like esophageal atresia and TE fistula—and many more problems that arise in utero. Our Fetal Care Center is the only of its kind in the state and one of just a few in the Northeast.

How does esophageal atresia affect a baby’s breathing?

A baby with esophageal atresia has a connection between the esophagus and the trachea (windpipe) going in to the lungs. Normally, the esophagus and the trachea are two separate tubes that are not connected to one another.

What is the prevalence of oesophageal atresia?

Oesophageal atresia is a relatively common congenital malformation occurring in one in 2500–3000 live births. The overwhelming majority of cases of oesophageal atresia are sporadic/non-syndromic, although a small number within this non-familial group are associated with chromosomal abnormalities.