6/27/06 Tracheal Esophageal Fistula (TEF)



On Monday night we found out that Burke was born with a congenital anomaly involving his esphagus (swallowing tube) and trachea (breathing tube). This is called Tracheal Esophageal Fistula with Esophageal Atresia (see first picture in diagram to the right). There are a variety of different scenarios but fortunately Burke has the most common type which can be fixed with surgery (95% success rate)!

Basically this anomaly starts forming during the 4th - 8th week of his development. A part of his trachea and espophagus grew together to cause a fistula (connection). When these two tubes are connected it can cause fluid that from his stomach to back up into his lungs which could affect his ability to breathe and cause major infection. The other part of his esophagus (the top part) was not connected to the bottom half of the esophagus leaving a big space (called atresia). So bascially all the parts were there but not plumbed into the right places. This left Burke unable to swallow nutrients down to his stomach.

During his time inutero, Burke wasn't able to normally swallow and process the amniotic fluid through his stomach and intestines. This caused an imbalance between us so I began to retain extra amniotic fluid (called polyhydramnios). My body couldn't maintain all of this fluid so my membranes ruputured prematurely which sent me into premature labor. This condition is very difficult to diagnose and only happens in about 1:4,000 pregnancies. Sometimes infants with this condition also have other developmental anomalies but fortunatley Burke has been cleared of any other major concerns with his other organs. Also, this condition isn't genetic so we aren't concerned about it happening in subsequent pregnancies.

good website for more info: http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site2191/mainpageS2191P0.html

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