Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: Year of the Zebra

They may be a mouthful to pronounce, but these two Zebras are screened for in every single newborn birth. As an infant, you have probably gotten a tube inserted through your nose to make sure it continues its way through the esophagus to the stomach. Esophageal atresia refers to a failure of the esophagus to develop correctly, essentially ending in a blind pouch. This one-sided esophagus is commonly associated with a connection to the trachea: a tracheoesophageal fistula. These two Zebras usually occur together because the trachea and esophagus develop together and then separate during development. Infants with these birth defects will have breathing difficulties and will usually not be able to appropriately clear their saliva and secretions. They are commonly associated with other malformations and require surgical correction. Click the video above for extremely pertinent information.