Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula occurs in 1 of every 2500 to 4500 live births.

There are no known predisposing factors; however, the condition often presents with other congenital anomalies, including VACTERL complex (vertebral defects, anorectal anomalies, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal abnormalities, radial and renal abnormalities, and limb anomalies).

Surgical intervention is required as a newborn.

Patients may have long-term complications, such as GERD, tracheomalacia, and chronic respiratory infections.

Esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) are congenital malformations that result from the defective separation of the common embryonic precursor to both the esophagus and trachea. The most common type is a blind-ending upper esophageal pouch with a fistulous connection between the distal esophageal segment and the trachea.