What is EA TEF syndrome?
By Mia Lopez
What is EA TEF syndrome?
Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is a condition resulting from abnormal development before birth of the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (the esophagus ).
Is esophageal atresia life-threatening?
Esophageal atresia can be life-threatening, so the baby has to be treated quickly. Doctors perform surgery to connect the esophagus to the stomach in babies with this condition.
Is TEF hereditary?
In most cases, tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is not inherited and there is only one affected person in a family. When TEF is isolated (i.e. does not occur with any other abnormalities), it is considered a multifactorial condition (caused by a combination of various genetic and environmental factors ).
When is EA TEF diagnosis?
The diagnosis of EA/TEF is confirmed by attempting to pass a nasogastric tube (a tube that runs from the nose to the stomach via the esophagus) down the throat of infants who have require excessive suction of mucus, or are born to mothers with polyhydramnios, or, if earlier signs are missed have difficulty feeding.
What is EA surgery?
Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair is surgery to repair two birth defects in the esophagus and trachea. The defects usually occur together.
What happens if a baby has EA and TEF?
The combination of ea with tef compromises digestion, nutrition, and respiration (breathing), creating a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. All babies with ea/tef require surgical repair to correct the condition and allow proper nutrition and swallowing.
What is EAEA/TEF and how common is it?
EA/TEF is a rare congenital birth defect which affects approximately 1 in 4,000 babies. Nobody knows what causes this abnormality. In babies who have esophageal atresia (“ee-sof-ah-gee-all at-tree-see-ah”), the esophagus doesn’t connect to the stomach. It just ends in a pouch, so nothing the baby swallows gets into the stomach.
What are the possible complications of EA/TEF?
In particular, EA/TEF has been linked to: 1 VACTERL syndrome, a complex condition that includes a group of birth defects often seen together… 2 Digestive tract problems such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, duodenal atresia,… 3 Heart problems such as ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, or patent ductus arteriosus.
What are EAEA and TEF in babies with VACTERL syndrome?
EA and TEF are also often found in babies born with VACTERL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies and limb abnormalities) syndrome. Not all babies born with VACTERL syndrome have abnormalities in all of these areas.
