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Disease Profile

Esophageal atresia

Prevalence
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.

1-5 / 10 000

US Estimated

Europe Estimated

Age of onset

Neonatal

ICD-10

Q39.0 Q39.1

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.

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Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.

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X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.

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X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.

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Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.

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Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

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Not applicable

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Categories

Congenital and Genetic Diseases; Digestive Diseases

Summary

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.
orphanet

Orpha Number: 1199

Definition
Oesophageal atresia (OA) encompasses a group of congenital anomalies with an interruption in the continuity of the oesophagus, with or without persistent communication with the trachea.

Epidemiology
OA occurs in 1 in 2500 live births.

Clinical description
Infants with OA are unable to swallow saliva and are noted to have excessive salivation requiring repeated suctioning. Associated anomalies occur in 50% of cases, the majority involving one or more of the VACTERL association anomalies (vertebral, anorectal, cardiac, tracheooesophageal, renal and limb defects). In 86% of cases there is a distal tracheooesophageal fistula, in 7% of cases there is no fistulous connection, while in 4% of cases there is a tracheooesophageal fistula without atresia. The remaining cases are made up of patients with OA with proximal, or both proximal and distal, tracheooesophageal fistula.

Etiology
The aetiology is largely unknown and is likely to be multifactorial, however, various clues have been uncovered in animal models, particularly defects in the expression of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) gene.

Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis may be suspected prenatally by a small or absent stomach bubble on ultrasound scan at around 18 weeks of gestation. The likelihood of an atresia is increased by the presence of polyhydramnios. Inserting a nasogastric tube at birth allows the diagnosis to be confirmed or excluded and should be performed in all infants born to a mother with polyhydramnios, as well as in infants who produce excessive mucus soon after delivery. In OA, the tube will not progress beyond 10 cm from the mouth. Further confirmation is obtained by plain X-ray of the chest and abdomen.

Genetic counseling
The vast majority of cases are sporadic and the recurrence risk for siblings is 1%.

Management and treatment
Definitive management involves disconnection of the tracheooesophageal fistula, closure of the tracheal defect and primary anastomosis of the oesophagus. Delayed primary repair should be attempted when there is a 'long gap' between the ends of the oesophagus. Only very rarely willoesophageal replacement be required.

Prognosis
Survival is directly related to birth weight and to the presence of a major cardiac defect. Infants weighing over 1500 g and having no major cardiac problems have a near 100% survival rate, but the survival rate decreases in the presence of additional risk factors.

Visit the Orphanet disease page for more resources.

Symptoms

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Tracheoesophageal fistula
0002575
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Absence of stomach bubble on fetal sonography
0010963
Bronchitis
0012387
Chronic pulmonary obstruction
0006510
Dysphagia
Poor swallowing
Swallowing difficulties
Swallowing difficulty

[ more ]

0002015
Esophagitis
Inflammation of the esophagus
0100633
Excessive salivation
Mouth watering
Oversalivation
Watery mouth

[ more ]

0003781
Failure to thrive in infancy
Faltering weight in infancy
Weight faltering in infancy

[ more ]

0001531
Feeding difficulties in infancy
0008872
Gastrointestinal dysmotility
0002579
Immunologic hypersensitivity
0100326
Oral aversion
0012523
Recurrent respiratory infections
Frequent respiratory infections
Multiple respiratory infections
respiratory infections, recurrent
Susceptibility to respiratory infections

[ more ]

0002205
Restrictive ventilatory defect
Stiff lung or chest wall causing decreased lung volume
0002091
Vomiting
Throwing up
0002013
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal vertebral morphology
0003468
Anorectal anomaly
0012732
Aspiration
0002835
Clinodactyly
Permanent curving of the finger
0030084
Cyanosis
Blue discoloration of the skin
0000961
Episodic respiratory distress
Episodic difficulty breathing
0004885
Gastroesophageal reflux
Acid reflux
Acid reflux disease
Heartburn

[ more ]

0002020
Growth delay
Delayed growth
Growth deficiency
Growth failure
Growth retardation
Poor growth
Retarded growth

[ more ]

0001510
Laryngotracheomalacia
0008755
Pallor
0000980
Polyhydramnios
High levels of amniotic fluid
0001561
Pyloric stenosis
0002021
Small for gestational age
Birth weight less than 10th percentile
Low birth weight

[ more ]

0001518
Subglottic stenosis
0001607
Vocal cord paresis
Weakness of the vocal cords
0001604
1%-4% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal external genitalia
0000811
Abnormal facial shape
Unusual facial appearance
0001999
Barrett esophagus
0100580
Choanal atresia
Blockage of the rear opening of the nasal cavity
Obstruction of the rear opening of the nasal cavity

[ more ]

0000453
Cleft lip
0410030
Cleft palate
Cleft roof of mouth
0000175
Coarctation of aorta
Narrowing of aorta
Narrowing of the aorta

[ more ]

0001680
Coloboma
Notched pupil
0000589
Duodenal atresia
Absence or narrowing of first part of small bowel
0002247
Gastrointestinal carcinoma
0002672
Hearing impairment
Deafness
Hearing defect

[ more ]

0000365
Hypertonia
0001276
Intestinal malrotation
0002566
Laryngeal cleft
0008751
Maternal diabetes
gestational diabetes
0009800
Muscular hypotonia
Low or weak muscle tone
0001252
Omphalocele
0001539
Pulmonary hypoplasia
Small lung
Underdeveloped lung

[ more ]

0002089
Renal agenesis
Absent kidney
Missing kidney

[ more ]

0000104
Scoliosis
0002650
Tetralogy of Fallot
0001636
Ventricular septal defect
Hole in heart wall separating two lower heart chambers
0001629

Organizations

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Learn more

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Esophageal atresia. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

    In-Depth Information

    • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
    • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
    • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.