Atresia of the esophagus is the most severe developmental disorder diagnosed in newborns, characterized by an obstruction of the esophagus. In 90% of cases it is accompanied by the presence of a lower tracheoesophageal fistula.
Congenital atresia of the esophagus in newborns
Already a newborn child in the hospital can detect the presence of pathology of the digestive system:
- from the nasal and oral cavity of the baby comes mucus with foam;
- the child can not swallow; spitting it all back;
- he has vomiting and some of the contents can go out through the nose;
- severe cough with signs of suffocation;
- bloating.
In most cases, as a consequence, the newborn develops aspiration pneumonia.
As a diagnostic procedure, the esophagus is probed with the Elephant sample: when entering air into the esophagus, it exits through the nose and mouth (this indicates a positive sample). Also, the doctor prescribes radiography, which looks at not only the state of the esophagus, but also the lungs.
Even with a slight suspicion of the presence of atresia of the esophagus in a newly born child, the upper respiratory tract must be sanitized immediately in order to avoid aspiration pneumonia. And then transfer the infant to the surgical department for further treatment.
Atresia of the esophagus in children: causes and symptoms
The main cause of esophageal atresia is a disruption in the growth and development of the digestive tract during the intrauterine development (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy).
Atresia of the esophagus: treatment
It is necessary to begin treatment of a newborn child as soon as possible, since a long absence of the possibility of feeding leads to dehydration and exhaustion, which complicates further manipulation.
Atrial esophagus is treated by surgery, the outcome of which is most effective if it was performed within the first 24 hours after the birth of the child. After the operation, the child is placed in an individual box in the intensive care unit, where complex treatment is continued. However, in the postoperative period, there may be complications from the lungs.
In some cases, the doctor may impose a gastrostomy (a special opening that is projected onto the front wall of the abdominal cavity, through which the patient is fed by means of a catheter).
However, even before the birth, it is possible to track the absence or presence of the stomach in repeated fetuses. But not all ultrasound machines can detect this anomaly.
A woman during pregnancy is often marked with polyhydramnios and the threat of abortion, which can also serve as a sign of the child's existing atresia of the esophagus.
The complexity of this disease is due to follow-up
The success of curing the esophagus atresia would be higher if, before the first feeding immediately after birth, each child would be probing the esophagus to assess its patency. In this case, surgical intervention, made in the first hours of the baby's life, would increase his chances of survival.
It is important in time to diagnose the esophagus atresia and begin treatment, as this disease can contribute to death. In most cases, the prognosis is unfavorable due to a large number of concomitant complications and often a later surgical intervention.