Esophageal Atresia & TEF
Having the two ends of your Oesophagus joined, does not mean your fixed and that’s the end of it…. for most children and adults born with this condition, no way have you been cured - Birth-Defect.org
HWN Suggests
A patient journey for an esophageal atresia patient
Mortality from this condition has reduced to less than 10% since the first successful primary repair in 1941. However, some concerns remain about morbidities such as those of a gastroenterological or pulmonary nature. Esophageal atresia patients require life-long attention, ranging from surveillance to ongoing treatment. The psychological impact of the diseases both on patients and their families has also been increasingly recognised.
Articles of Interest
About Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula (EA/TEF)
During pregnancy, excess amniotic fluid or small stomach on an ultrasound may signal EA/TEF. After birth, EA/TEF may be suspected if the baby chokes, coughs, and turns blue when attempting to feed. To diagnose EA/TEF, the baby’s physician will attempt to pass a feeding tube through the baby’s mouth or nose. X-ray imaging will show the feeding tube coiled in the upper esophagus, indicating EA/TEF.
Associations between EA and other congenital anomalies and genetics
People with EA frequently have other congenital anomalies. Most often, these fall within what’s known as the “VATER or VACTERL Association.” This “association” means that children tend to have birth defects involving certain organ systems. The number of systems involved varies from person to person. The systems involved may be (these spell “VATER” or “VACTERL”:
Resources
Birth-Defect.org
Researching the cause and treatment of trachea-esophageal birth defects.
The Federation of Esophageal Atresia and Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula (EAT)
EAT is a federation of member support groups each associated with the rare congenital condition of Esophageal Atresia (EA). Each of the member organisations of EAT operates on a charitable basis in its own country. The main goals of www.we-are-eat.org are to help EA patients and health professionals share their knowledge and experience, promote awareness of the condition across the world and support worldwide research and collation of information concerning the treatment and care of people born with esophageal atresia.
CDC
Esophageal atresia often occurs with tracheoesophageal fistula, a birth defect in which part of the esophagus is connected to the trachea, or windpipe.
NORD
EA often occurs in association with a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), which is an abnormal passage or connection (fistula) between the esophagus (usually the lower) and the trachea (windpipe).
StatPearls
Approximately one-third of fetuses with EA/TEF will be diagnosed prenatally. The most common sonographic clue to EA is polyhydramnios, which is present in approximately 60% of pregnancies. If diagnosed prenatally, the family can be counseled on expectations after delivery. Furthermore, delivery can occur where specialized teams of maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatal intensivists, and pediatric surgeons are available. However, many cases are not diagnosed before birth.
