Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- maternal history of polyhydramniosis
- inability to swallow secretions
- inability to pass a nasogastric tube
Other diagnostic factors
- labored respiration
- coughing
- choking
- VACTERL association
- cyanosis
Risk factors
- trisomy 18 and 21
- family history
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- prenatal ultrasound
- prenatal MRI
- x-ray chest and abdomen
Tests to consider
- bronchoscopy
- esophagoscopy
- barium swallow
- transthoracic echocardiogram
Treatment algorithm
type A
type B and D
type C
type E
Contributors
Authors
Alexander J. Bondoc, MD
Assistant Professor
UC Department of Surgery
UC Department of Pediatrics
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Cincinnati
OH
Disclosures
AJB declares that he has no competing interests.
Aaron Garrison, MD
Assistant Professor
UC Department of Surgery
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Cincinnati
OH
Disclosures
AG declares that he has no competing interests.
Daniel von Allmen, MD
Professor-Associate
University of Cincinnati
Department of Surgery
Cincinnati
OH
Disclosures
DVA is on the Board of Trustees for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Medical Advisory Board for Bolder Surgical.
Acknowledgements
Dr Alexander J. Bondoc would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Steven S. Rothenberg, a previous contributor to this topic.
Disclosures
SSR declared that he had no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Michael D. Klein, MD, FACS, FAAP
Surgeon in Chief
Professor of Surgery
Department of Pediatric Surgery
Children's Hospital of Michigan
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Detroit
MI
Disclosures
MDK declares that he has no competing interests.
Timothy D. Kane, MD
Clinical Director
Division Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Pittsburgh
PA
Disclosures
TDK declares that he has no competing interests.
Lewis Spitz, MBChB, PhD, FRCS, MD, FRCPCH, FAAP, FCS
Emeritus Nuffield Professor of Paediatric Surgery
Institute of Child Health
University College
London
UK
Disclosures
LS declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Laryngeal cleft
More Differentials
Log in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer