Available At: Motherhood Hospitals – Banashankari, HRBR, Kharadi | Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital – Sector 44, Chandigarh
Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula is a congenital condition. Complications arising from this condition can be concerning for new parents. It is helpful to learn more about esophageal atresia in newborns, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options so that you can be more prepared for the days to come.
What is esophageal atresia?
Normally, your windpipe and oesophagus are separate passageways in the body. The windpipe or trachea is a cartilaginous tube that connects the voice box to the lungs and is part of the respiratory system. The oesophagus on the other hand, is a food pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach and is part of the digestive system.
An esophageal atresia (EA) is a condition where the oesophagus or food pipe, is not completely formed at birth. That is, it develops in two separate segments. Esophageal atresia occurs only in newborns, though children of pediatric age group might have sequel of the disease or its treatment.
Usually, an EA is accompanied with a Tracheoesophagel fistula in infants, where the trachea and oesophagus are abnormally connected to each other. So, an Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula is a birth defect where the oesophagus is not completely formed and a part of it connects abnormally to the trachea.
Causes of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula
Irregular fetal developments can cause an esophageal atresia. While most EA with TEF conditions are detected at birth, your doctor may also be able to diagnose EA and EA /TEF through fetal scans in your pregnancy.
Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula types
Different forms of EA/TEF and what they mean for your child
- Type A: In type A EA, the two ends of the oesophagus are closed. That is, there is no connection between the oesophagus and the stomach.
- Type B: In this condition, the upper part of the oesophagus is connected to the respiratory passage by a tracheoesophageal fistula while the lower end is closed.
- Type C TEF: One of the most common EA newborns is the type C where the upper end is closed and the lower end of the eoesophagus abnormally connects to the trachea.
- Type D: Rarely some babies are detected with Type D EA where the upper and lower parts of the eoesophagus are connected to the trachea.
Esophageal atresia symptoms
Esophageal atresias and EA with TEF conditions are immediately diagnosed at birth. EA TEF symptoms can include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Difficulty while swallowing
- Choking
- Coughing
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
On the other hand tracheoesophageal fistula in newborns without eoesophagel atresia may not display immediate symptoms. However, they may experience frequent lung infections and choking while swallowing which are signs of the TEF in pediatrics.
EA/TEF diagnosis
Tests and scans doctors use to confirm esophageal atresia in newborns
If your newborn is suspected to have an EA/TEF condition, then the pediatrician may take an xray, endoscopy or bronchoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. The pediatrician may also recommend other tests to confirm the extent of the condition or rule out other congenital disorders in your baby.
Esophageal atresia treatment
Safe surgical repair options to restore normal breathing and swallowing
Corrective surgery is the only treatment option for esophageal atresia in newborns. Pediatric surgeons at Motherhood Hospitals offer precise and safe esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula surgery using advanced techniques and state of the art technology to ensure the best possible results.
Depending on the type and extent of the infant esophageal atresia your child’s pediatric surgeon will perform esophageal atresia repair techniques to make a connection between the two parts of the oesophagus and may also perform other reconstructive surgeries.
- Primary Anastomosis: The surgeon will directly connect the two parts of the oesophagus if the gap between the two is small.
- Stage repair: Usually, when the gap between the two parts is large, the surgeon may opt for traction sutures that gradually pull the two parts of the oesophagus together over a period.
- Eoseophagostomy: The surgeon may create an opening in the neck to drain the saliva. This provides a temporary solution to feeding and drainage, allowing the child to grow and then decide on eosepheagel repair or oesophagus replacement at a later date.
If a tracheoesophageal fistula in newborn is present with EA, then the surgeon will perform EA TEF repair by closing the fistula first before esophageal atresia treatment.
How we manage esophageal atresia surgery at Motherhood Hospitals
At Motherhood Hospitals, EA/TEF in children is not just another condition. We see every esophageal atresia surgery case as unique and offer precise care and personalized treatment for every child. We believe in open communications, ensuring every parent that their child is under expert care during every step of the procedure and recovery journey. We provide comprehensive post surgery support to ensure the best possible outcomes. Schedule your appointment today with Motherhood Hospitals for timely diagnosis and dedicated health care.
Request A Call Back