Esophageal atresia (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Template:Esophageal atresia (patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Esophageal atresia|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Esophageal atresia|here]]''' | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Esophageal atresia is a disorder of the | Esophageal atresia is a disorder of the digestive system in which the esophagus does not develop properly. The esophagus is the tube that normally carries food from the mouth to the stomach. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Esophageal atresia?== | ==What are the symptoms of Esophageal atresia?== | ||
* Bluish coloration to the skin (cyanosis) with attempted feedings | |||
* Bluish coloration to the skin ( | |||
* Coughing, gagging, and choking with attempted feeding | * Coughing, gagging, and choking with attempted feeding | ||
* Drooling | * Drooling | ||
* Poor feeding | * Poor feeding | ||
==What | ==What causes Esophageal atresia?== | ||
Esophageal atresia is a | Esophageal atresia is a congenital defect, which means it occurs before birth. There are several types. In most cases, the upper esophagus ends and does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach. The top end of the lower esophagus connects to the windpipe. This connection is called a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Some babies with TEF will also have other problems, such as heart or other digestive tract disorders. | ||
Other types of esophageal atresia involve narrowing of the esophagus, and may also be associated with other birth defects. | Other types of esophageal atresia involve narrowing of the esophagus, and may also be associated with other birth defects. | ||
== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Before birth, an | Esophageal atresia occurs in about 1 out of 4,000 births. | ||
==Diagnosis== | |||
Before birth, an ultrasound performed on the pregnant mother may show too much amniotic fluid, which can be a sign of esophageal atresia or other blockage of the digestive tract. | |||
The disorder is usually detected shortly after birth when feeding is attempted and the infant coughs, chokes, and turns blue. As soon as the diagnosis is suspected, an attempt to pass a small feeding tube through the mouth or nose into the stomach should be made. The feeding tube will not be able to pass all the way to the stomach in a baby with esophageal atresia. | The disorder is usually detected shortly after birth when feeding is attempted and the infant coughs, chokes, and turns blue. As soon as the diagnosis is suspected, an attempt to pass a small feeding tube through the mouth or nose into the stomach should be made. The feeding tube will not be able to pass all the way to the stomach in a baby with esophageal atresia. | ||
An | An x-ray of the esophagus shows an air-filled pouch and air in the stomach and intestine. If a feeding tube has been inserted, it will appear coiled up in the upper esophagus. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
This disorder is usually diagnosed shortly after birth. | This disorder is usually diagnosed shortly after birth. | ||
Call your baby's health care provider if the baby | Call your baby's health care provider if the baby vomits repeatedly after feedings, or if the baby develops breathing difficulties. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
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Before the surgery, the baby is not fed by mouth. Care is taken to prevent the baby from breathing secretions into the lungs. | Before the surgery, the baby is not fed by mouth. Care is taken to prevent the baby from breathing secretions into the lungs. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Esophageal atresia== | ==Where to find medical care for Esophageal atresia?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps? | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Esophageal atresia}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Esophageal atresia] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
An early diagnosis gives a better chance of a good outcome. | An early diagnosis gives a better chance of a good outcome. | ||
==Possible complications== | |||
The infant may breath saliva and other secretions into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia, choking, and possibly death. | |||
Other complications may include: | |||
* Feeding problems | * Feeding problems | ||
* Reflux (the repeated bringing up of food from the stomach) after surgery | * Reflux (the repeated bringing up of food from the stomach) after surgery | ||
* Narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus due to scarring from surgery | |||
Prematurity may complicate the condition. | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000961.htm | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Overview complete]] | ||
[[Category:Template complete]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology patient information]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Congenital disorders]] | |||
[[Category:Congenital disorders patient information]] | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:48, 7 September 2011
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Esophageal atresia |
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Esophageal atresia On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Esophageal atresia is a disorder of the digestive system in which the esophagus does not develop properly. The esophagus is the tube that normally carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
What are the symptoms of Esophageal atresia?
- Bluish coloration to the skin (cyanosis) with attempted feedings
- Coughing, gagging, and choking with attempted feeding
- Drooling
- Poor feeding
What causes Esophageal atresia?
Esophageal atresia is a congenital defect, which means it occurs before birth. There are several types. In most cases, the upper esophagus ends and does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach. The top end of the lower esophagus connects to the windpipe. This connection is called a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Some babies with TEF will also have other problems, such as heart or other digestive tract disorders.
Other types of esophageal atresia involve narrowing of the esophagus, and may also be associated with other birth defects.
Who is at highest risk?
Esophageal atresia occurs in about 1 out of 4,000 births.
Diagnosis
Before birth, an ultrasound performed on the pregnant mother may show too much amniotic fluid, which can be a sign of esophageal atresia or other blockage of the digestive tract.
The disorder is usually detected shortly after birth when feeding is attempted and the infant coughs, chokes, and turns blue. As soon as the diagnosis is suspected, an attempt to pass a small feeding tube through the mouth or nose into the stomach should be made. The feeding tube will not be able to pass all the way to the stomach in a baby with esophageal atresia.
An x-ray of the esophagus shows an air-filled pouch and air in the stomach and intestine. If a feeding tube has been inserted, it will appear coiled up in the upper esophagus.
When to seek urgent medical care?
This disorder is usually diagnosed shortly after birth.
Call your baby's health care provider if the baby vomits repeatedly after feedings, or if the baby develops breathing difficulties.
Treatment options
Esophageal atresia is considered a surgical emergency. Surgery to repair the esophagus should be done quickly after the baby is stabilized so that the lungs are not damaged and the baby can be fed.
Before the surgery, the baby is not fed by mouth. Care is taken to prevent the baby from breathing secretions into the lungs.
Where to find medical care for Esophageal atresia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Esophageal atresia
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
An early diagnosis gives a better chance of a good outcome.
Possible complications
The infant may breath saliva and other secretions into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia, choking, and possibly death.
Other complications may include:
- Feeding problems
- Reflux (the repeated bringing up of food from the stomach) after surgery
- Narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus due to scarring from surgery
Prematurity may complicate the condition.