Esophageal Atresia, Closed Esophagus Birth Defects

What is esophageal atresia?

Congenital esophageal atresia (EA) represents a failure of the esophagus to develop as a continuous passage; instead it ends as a blind pouch. Think of it as a closed esophagus. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) represents an abnormal opening between the trachea and esophagus. Both the closed esophagus and the tracheoesophageal fistula can happen separately or together. These congenital birth defects are diagnosed at birth and must be treated ASAP.

Symptoms of a closed esophagus include drooling accompanied by coughing, choking, and sneezing. When infants are fed, they struggle and cough as the fluid returns through the nose and mouth. The infant may turn bluish due to lack of oxygen and may stop breathing as the overflow of fluid is sucked into the trachea.

What causes esophageal atresia?

A closed esophagus occurs in approximately one in 4,425 live births. Babies with this birth defect frequently suffer other congenital birth defects. Heart defects account for about one third of all anomalies identified. Ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and tetralogy of Fallot are the most frequently reported cardiac defects. Approximately 10 percent of babies with esophageal atresia also have urinary tract or musculoskeletal system defects.

Doctors are unsure what causes a closed esophagus, however, the problems developed during the first trimester. Since ventricular septal defect (VSD) and tetralogy of Fallot are related birth defects, perhaps exposure to teratogens or toxic pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drugs may also be the cause closed esophagus.

Substances with teratogenic effects can damage the DNA of your developing fetus. It is estimated that 10% of all birth defects are caused by prenatal exposure to a teratogenic agent including but not limited to -- medication or drug exposures, maternal infections and diseases, and environmental and occupational exposures.

What is the treatment for esophageal atresia?

Treatments for a closed esophagus depend on severity. The most immediate and effective treatment in the majority of cases is surgery. This is not always possible since the gap between upper and lower esophageal segments may be too long to bridge.

Post operative complications may arise, including a leak at the site of the esophagus closure. Sometimes a tight spot will develop in the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow. This can usually be dilated using medical instruments. In later life, most children with this disorder will have some trouble with either swallowing or heartburn or both.

Does your baby suffer from an esophagus birth defect?

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