Tracheoesophageal fistula: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is a tracheoesophageal fistula?

Tracheoesophageal fistula or tracheoesophageal fissula (TEF) is a condition of abnormal tissue growth that connects the esophagus (esophagus) to the trachea (throat).

In other words, tracheoesophageal fistula is a birth defect in babies that occurs when the connection between the esophagus and throat is abnormal.

The esophagus or esophagus is a tube or tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

While the throat or trachea is a tube or tube that connects the throat to the lungs.

Under normal conditions, the two channels are separate from each other and not connected to each other.

However, the presence of a tracheoesophageal fistula allows fluid swallowed by a newborn to enter the abnormal connecting line between the esophagus and throat.

As a result, instead of entering the stomach, the liquid ends up in the lungs. This condition can lead to pneumonia and other breathing problems. Tracheoesophageal fistula is a condition that usually co-exists with other birth defects.

There are several types of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The first type of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is the upper part of the esophagus with a sac-shaped appendix. While the bottom is connected into the throat.

The second, fairly frequent type of TEF is a clogged esophagus without a connection to the throat.

The third type of tracheoesophageal fistula is type H. In type H TEF, both the tracheal tube and the esophagus are intact, but in between there is a "bridge bridge" just like the letter H.

The third type of tracheoesophageal fistula is the most difficult condition to diagnose because the baby can still eat, breastfeed, and breathe normally.

How common is this condition?

Tracheoesophageal fistula is a condition that occurs in 1 in 3 thousand live births. This condition is more common in boys than girls.

Some cases have found that the risk of TEF increases if the mother becomes pregnant at old age. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a tracheoesophageal fistula?

According to Boston Children's Hospital, babies with this condition often don't show any symptoms at birth. The various symptoms of a tracheoesophageal fistula are as follows:

• Pulmonary infection in infants
• Coughing or choking while breastfeeding or eating
• The baby vomits
• Foam out of the mouth
• The skin turns blue, especially when the baby is breastfeeding, formula feeding, or eating
• Difficulty breathing
• The belly is distended, round, and feels hard

In some cases, the baby may also experience tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia at the same time with symptoms that are quite evident after birth.

Esophageal atresia is also a similar condition when a part of the esophagus is missing.

Common symptoms of a combination of these two conditions are breathing problems and coughing or choking when the baby swallows fluids or food.

Babies with both conditions combined may also have other health problems.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult a doctor.

The health condition of each person's body is different. Always consult a doctor in order to get the best treatment regarding your little one's health condition.

Cause

What causes tracheoesophageal fistula?

Launching from the University of Rochester Medical Center, as long as the baby is in the womb, his organs are being formed.

The process of forming the esophagus (esophagus) and throat (trachea) starts from one tube. At the 4th to 8th week of gestation, a dividing wall begins to form between the esophagus and the trachea.

This wall will separate the esophagus and throat into two parts. Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia occur when the dividing wall does not form properly.

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to diagnose this condition?

As with esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula in an unborn baby is rarely diagnosed.

Tracheoesophageal fistula is a condition that is diagnosed more often after the baby is born. Usually, the doctor will recommend the following tests to diagnose tracheoesophageal fistula:

• X-rays or x-rays, to determine the condition of the organs in the baby's body
• Endoscopy or bronchoscopy, to see the condition of the inside of the baby's respiratory tract using a thin tube equipped with a small light and camera

The doctor can insert a special tube from the mouth into the baby's stomach. The type and location of the fistula can be determined via a radiopaque catheter that can take pictures of the esophagus. X-rays will show gas buildup in the intestines.

While endoscopy cannot detect a small TEF size. Symptoms of TEF can sometimes appear but sometimes go away.

This is why TEF can sometimes be quite difficult to diagnose. The procedures outlined above will usually be the first step in getting a proper TEF diagnosis for a baby.

What are the treatment options for tracheoesophageal fistulas?

Treatment for tracheoesophageal fistula in infants is usually determined by the symptoms, age, general health of the little one's body, and the severity of the condition.

The chances of survival in babies born with type H TEF are small if surgery is not done to separate the trachea and esophagus immediately.

Once the surgery is done, the esophagus is corrected to keep it separate from the trachea.

Surgery or surgery on the TEF will help close or provide a barrier between the baby's esophagus and throat.

However, sometimes, surgery cannot be done immediately when the baby is born prematurely, has other birth defects, or has complications of aspiration pneumonia.

Surgery can only be performed in a hospital that has a neonatal emergency care facility. To avoid the risk of aspiration pneumonia, the following precautions can be taken:

• Supports the back of the baby's head to prevent reflux of stomach acid from entering the lungs.
• Using a suction catheter to remove fluid and saliva that may be inhaled into the lungs.
• Feeding through a special tube if needed.

If the baby has a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) without esophageal atresia, surgery or surgery can be done from the first or second day of the baby's birth.

This procedure is tailored to your little one's doctor and medical team to ensure better results.

Meanwhile, if your baby has TEF along with esophageal atresia, the doctor will also perform a similar surgical procedure.

Complications

What are the possible complications of tracheoesophageal fistulas?

When a baby with TEF swallows, the swallowed liquid can enter through the tube between the esophagus and throat.

This condition can cause fluid to enter the baby's lungs, leading to pneumonia and other health problems.

Please discuss with your doctor for more information. If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.