Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula is due to an error in ontogenetic development which occurs befose the sixth week of gestation. An ovearll incidence of one in 3,000 deliveries is generally accepted, and approximately 85 percent of the reported cases consist of esophageal atresia with a fistulous connection between the lower esophageal pouch and the trachea. Associated anomalies are common and often are the most significant factor influencing survival. The female, birth weight 2,450gm, was born at our hospital. After birth the infant cried immediately, breathed spontaneously and did well initially, but after minutes appeared excessive mucus in the pharynx, and sterile water was given 6 hrs later but immediately vomited, some of it regurgitating through the nose and mouth with chocking, coughing and cyanosis. A Nelaton catheter was inserted through the esophagus but met a solid obstructed region at 14cm from the noses. A plain abdomen showed air in the stomach and small intestine, and in esophagogram with Dionosil, esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula was shown. A brief review of related literature is also noted.
Abdomen ; Birth Weight ; Catheters ; Cough ; Cyanosis ; Esophageal Atresia ; Esophagus ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Intestine, Small ; Mouth ; Mucus ; Nose ; Parturition ; Pharynx ; Pregnancy ; Propyliodone ; Stomach ; Trachea ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula* ; Water