Introduction Esophageal Atresia (EA) and Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF) are congenital defects of the esophagus. Esophageal Atresia can occur either by itself or along with Tracheoesophageal Fistula; however, it is more common for them to occur together. EA happens when the esophagus is incomplete and terminates before reaching the stomach. It is frequently associated with a fistula between the trachea and esophagus (Potts & Mandleco, 2013, p. 669). There are five different types of EA/TEF: 1) Esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula (87%) 2) isolated or pure esophageal atresia (8%) 3) pure tracheoesophageal fistula (4%) 4) esophageal atresia with proximal tracheoesophageal fistula (<1%) (Clark, n.d.). According …show more content…
If EA is suspected after birth, the physician will diagnose by inserting a nasogastric tube (NG tube). Normally, the NG tube will pass through the nose to the esophagus and into the stomach. However, with EA/TEF it hits a pouch blockade. This blockade can be seen through an X-RAY. Newborns with Pure TEF are usually diagnosed using a barium swallow test. Barium enhances visibility of the digestive tract through X-RAY. In newborns with EA and TEF, gas bubbles accumulate in the abdomen causing abdominal distention. This can be diagnosed with the use of sonogram or X-RAY “Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia Symptoms and Diagnosis”, …show more content…
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Glossary Fig 1. There are five types of EA/TEF: 1) EA with distal TEF 2) isolated or pure esophageal atresia 3) pure tracheoesophageal fistula 4) EA with proximal TEF 5) EA with double