Atresia is a congenital condition where a body cavity or passageway is missing or closed. It can affect digestive and cardiovascular organs and may require surgery. Esophageal and duodenal atresia are treatable but can be fatal if left untreated. Surgery is the only option for tricuspid or pulmonary heart valve atresia, which can cause heart failure and stroke.
An atresia is a congenital condition, also known as a birth defect, in which a body cavity or passageway is lacking or abnormally closed. Normally affecting the digestive and cardiovascular organs, an atresia is a treatable condition that may require surgery. Left untreated, most atresias are fatal.
An esophageal atresia, also known as a tracheoesophageal fistula, occurs when the esophagus doesn’t develop properly. In the case of an atresia, the upper portion of the esophagus is closed, blocking food from entering the digestive tract. A diagnosis of esophageal obstruction is made shortly after birth when you try to breastfeed and your baby’s skin takes on a bluish hue, called cyanosis. The baby may also cough, drool and choke when attempts to feed occur.
The presence of an esophageal closure is considered a medical emergency and surgery is scheduled as soon as the baby is stable. Before surgery it is essential that precautions are taken to ensure that the child does not breathe in or breathe secretions into his or her lungs. The prognosis associated with esophageal closure is good provided the condition is diagnosed early. Complications associated with this condition include aspiration pneumonia, suffocation, and postoperative reflux.
A duodenal atresia is a closure or absence of the opening in the first section of the small intestine that connects it to the stomach, and if left untreated, it can be fatal. Associated with Down syndrome, a duodenal obstruction is also related to cases of polyhydramnios, which is a buildup of amniotic fluid within the amniotic sac during pregnancy. A diagnosis of this form of atresia is usually confirmed by an X-ray showing air trapping in the stomach and duodenum, or a portion of the small intestine. There is no documented cause for the development of duodenal closure, although its origin is speculated to be from problems during embryonic development.
Symptoms of duodenal obstruction include absence of urination or bowel movements, abdominal bloating, and large volume vomiting that contains bile or stomach acids. Treatment for duodenal atresia includes intravenous administration of supplements and placing a tube into the stomach to help decompress it. The surgery option depends on the nature of the abnormality and cannot be considered an immediate necessity. If surgery is performed, postoperative complications include acid reflux and some duodenal swelling, also known as megaduodenum.
Although rare, atresias may involve the tricuspid or pulmonary heart valves. Both abnormalities obstruct blood flow and impede the heart’s ability to support the body’s organs. Symptoms associated with these types of atresia include cyanosis, difficulty breathing, and persistent fatigue. Treatment always requires surgery which may involve valve repair or replacement or, in severe cases, heart transplantation. Improvement is expected with surgery; however, complications including stroke and heart failure are possible.
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