Esophageal atresia is also otherwise known as Oesophageal atresia. This condition is a medical birth defect condition, which usually affects the alimentary tract. It causes the esophagus to result in a blind-ended pouch impeding its function of normally connecting to the stomach.

Esophageal atresia can be visible for diagnosis some point in time just shortly before birth through an ultrasound. It can also be detected right after birth as infants affected with this condition are unable to swallow their own saliva.

Treatments for esophageal atresia vary widely depending on the extent of severity of the condition. Considered to be the most effective and often immediately administered treatment in most of the cases is through a surgical intervention or repair by surgery aimed at closing the fistula and then reconnecting togethere both ends of the esophagus. Surgical method may not be possible in all cases because of the very lengthy gap in between the upper and the lower segments of the esophagus making it too long to connect. Gastronomy then is performed in such case, by inserting tube thus allowing food to into the stomach. Often an esophagostomy in the cervix is also done. This is to allow the swallowed saliva to drain out through a hole in the neck. Within a period, esophagus may then be repaired through using a segment of the bowel.

Symptoms manifested by patients with Esophageal atresia have difficulty in swallowing or is not able to swallow.

The esophageal atresia is caused by the abnormal development of the esophagus brought about by unhealthy pregnancy and poor fetal development especially during the fourth week of fetal development.

esophagealatresia