Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula

The esophagus is a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal atresia occurs when a baby’s esophagus does not develop properly. Babies with esophageal atresia have an esophagus with two sections that do not connect. This means that food cannot get from the mouth to the stomach. In some cases, it can also cause problems with breathing.

Some babies with esophageal atresia are also born with a condition called tracheoesophageal fistula. This is when part of the esophagus is connected to the trachea. In many cases, babies with esophageal atresia are born with other types of health problems as well.

There are four types of esophageal atresia:

• Type A. The upper and lower sections of the esophagus have closed ends that do not connect. Neither end is connected to the trachea.
• Type B. This is a very rare type. The upper part of the esophagus is connected to the trachea, and the lower part has a closed end.
• Type C. This is the most common type. The upper part of the esophagus has a closed end, and the lower part is connected to the trachea.
• Type D. This type is the rarest and most severe. Neither end of the esophagus is connected to each other, but both are connected to the trachea.

Many babies are identified before birth to have esophageal atresia. This is a treatable condition and prenatal consultation with surgeons prior to birth is recommended. Our esophageal atresia team is available virtually and in person to talk with your family about esophageal atresia.

In most cases, babies with esophageal atresia may have symptoms shortly after birth that include:

• Having trouble breathing
• Choking or coughing while feeding
• A blue color to the skin, especially while feeding
• Spitting up or drooling
• Frothy white bubbles in the mouth

Esophageal atresia is a condition that develops early in pregnancy. Experts do not know what causes it, but in some cases the condition is linked to other syndromes.

Esophageal atresia is a serious condition that needs to be treated with surgery shortly after the baby’s birth.

• If the two ends of the esophagus are close together, the surgeon may be able to connect them with surgery.
• If the ends are farther apart, your baby may need a surgery called the Foker procedure to make the esophagus longer.
• Sometimes babies with esophageal atresia get a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) until surgeons can repair the esophagus. A G-tube goes in through the belly to deliver breast milk or formula right to the stomach.

The specialists in our esophageal atresia program at Connecticut Children’s are experienced at treating all types of esophageal atresia. The team will discuss specific options with your family based on the type of esophageal atresia your child has and how severe the condition is. Some children need more than one surgery to correct the problem.