Esophageal atresia is a birth defect in which part of a baby’s esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) does not develop properly.

Esophageal atresia is a birth defect of the swallowing tube (esophagus) that connects the mouth to the stomach. In a baby with esophageal atresia, the esophagus has two separate sections—the upper and lower esophagus—that do not connect. A baby with this birth defect is unable to pass food from the mouth to the stomach, and sometimes difficulty breathing.

Esophageal atresia often occurs with tracheoesophageal fistula, a birth defect in which part of the esophagus is connected to the trachea, or windpipe.

Types of Esophageal Atresia

There are four types of esophageal atresia: Type A, Type B, Type C and Type D.

• Type A is when the upper and lower parts of the esophagus do not connect and have closed ends. In this type, no parts of the esophagus attach to the trachea.
• Type B is very rare. In this type the upper part of the esophagus is attached to the trachea, but the lower part of the esophagus has a closed end.
• Type C is the most common type. In this type the upper part of the esophagus has a closed end and the lower part of the esophagus is attached to the trachea, as is shown in the drawing.
• Type D is the rarest and most severe. In this type the upper and lower parts of the esophagus are not connected to each other, but each is connected separately to the trachea.

How Many Babies are Born with Esophageal Atresia?

Researchers estimate that about 1 in every 4,100 babies is born with esophageal atresia in the United States.¹ This birth defect can occur alone, but often occurs with other birth defects.

Causes

Like many families of children with a birth defect, CDC wants to find out what causes them. Understanding the factors that can increase the chance of having a baby with a birth defect will help us learn more about the causes. CDC funds the Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, which collaborate on large studies such as the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS; births 1997-2011) and the Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS; began with births in 2014), to understand the causes of and risks for birth defects, including esophageal atresia.

The causes of esophageal atresia in most babies are unknown. Researchers believe that some instances of esophageal atresia may be caused by abnormalities in the baby’s genes. Nearly half of all babies born with esophageal atresia have one or more additional birth defects, such as other problems with the digestive system (intestines and anus), heart, kidneys, or the ribs or spinal column.

Recently, CDC reported on important findings about some factors that increase the risk of having a baby with esophageal atresia:

• Paternal age – Older age of the father is related to an increased chance of having a baby born with esophageal atresia.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) – Women who used ART to become pregnant have an increased risk of having a baby with esophageal atresia compared to women who did not use ART.

CDC continues to study birth defects, such as esophageal atresia, and how to prevent them. If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor about ways to increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

Diagnosis

Esophageal atresia is rarely diagnosed during pregnancy. Esophageal atresia is most commonly detected after birth when the baby first tries to feed and has choking or vomiting, or when a tube inserted in the baby’s nose or mouth cannot pass down into the stomach. An x-ray can confirm that the tube stops in the upper esophagus.

Treatment

Once a diagnosis has been made, surgery is needed to reconnect the two ends of the esophagus so that the baby can breathe and feed properly. Multiple surgeries and other procedures or medications may be needed, particularly if the baby’s repaired esophagus becomes too narrow for food to pass through it; if the muscles of the esophagus don’t work well enough to move food into the stomach; or if digested food in the stomach consistently moves back up into the esophagus.

“Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground. Radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, and can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. Radon can be present at high levels inside homes, schools and other buildings. Radon in homes is more common than you think. Pennsylvania has one of the nation’s most serious radon problems. High levels of radioactive radon gas have been found in every county but most places in the Commonwealth remain undertested, so this isn’t something that should be taken lightly.”

American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/pa-radon-2024)

“You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. In fact, the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon.

Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family.”

United States Environmental Protection – EPA

(https://www.epa.gov/radon/national-radon-action-month-information)

“A few precautions that are recommended for all pregnant women include the following:

“The reported incidence of PDA in term neonates is only 1 in 2,000 births, accounting for 5%–10% of all congenital heart disease.⁶ The incidence of PDA in preterm neonates is far greater, with reports ranging from 20%–60% (depending on population and diagnostic criteria).³ The increased incidence of PDA in the preterm infant is attributable to the lack of normal closure mechanisms due to immaturity. Gestational age and weight are intimately linked to PDA in preterm neonates. Specifically, PDA is present in 80% of infants weighing less than 1,200 g at birth, compared to 40% of infants weighing less than 2,000 g at birth.^1,7 Furthermore, symptomatic PDA is present in 48% of infants with a birth weight of less than 1,000 g.”

National Library of Medicine (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3462096/)

“Every 4.5 minutes a baby is born with a condition that affects the structure or function of their body—collectively, these conditions are referred to as birth defects. They can vary widely in how and where they affect the body, and include things from cleft lip to heart disease problems. While medical advancements have greatly improved the health and survival of these individuals, many of these conditions are lifelong and require lifelong care.  While medical advancements have greatly improved the health and survival of these individuals, many of these conditions are lifelong and require lifelong care.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/esophagealatresia.html)

“The thyroid is a small gland at the front of your neck that makes the thyroid hormone that regulates your metabolism, says Dr. Thomas J. Fahey III,  Chief of Endocrine Surgery, and Director of the Endocrine Oncology Program. “The thyroid has a wide-ranging effect throughout the body. It contributes to how fast your heart beats, how fast your hair grows, and how fast things pass through your intestines,” Dr. Fahey says.

The thyroid gland commonly malfunctions, typically by over- or under-producing hormones. An over-functioning thyroid gland can trigger “hyperthyroidism,” which can cause your body to race and your heart to pound, as well as weight loss, sleep trouble, muscle weakness, frequent or loose bowel movements, nervousness, or irritability. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the U.S. is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. An under-functioning thyroid, which frequently stems from the autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s disease, may lead to “hypothyroidism” and resulting fatigue, weight gain, depression, constipation, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, or problems conceiving. Family history increases the risk for both Hashimoto’s and Graves’.”

Weill Cornell Medicine (https://weillcornell.org/news/understanding-thyroid-problems-disease)

 “The main hormones your thyroid make and release in the body are triiodothyronine (T3) thyroxine (T4).

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid creates and releases more of these hormones than you need.

Hyperthyroidism, also called overactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. Thyroid hormones control the way the body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body, even the way your heart beats. With too much thyroid hormone, creating many of your body’s functions to speed up.

About 1 out of 100 Americans ages 12 years and older have hyperthyroidism  Hyperthyroidism is more common in women and people older than 60.”

National Institute of  Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease –  NIDDH

“Women are much more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism. The disease is also more common among people older than age 60.¹

You are more likely to have hypothyroidism if you

• had a thyroid problem before, such as a goiter
• had surgery or radioactive iodine to correct a thyroid problem
• received radiation treatment to the thyroid, neck, or chest
• have a family history of thyroid disease
• were pregnant in the past 6 months
• have Turner syndrome NIH external link, a genetic disorder that affects women.”

National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases – NIH

(https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hypothyroidism#who)

“Your thyroid gland, as an endocrine gland, makes and secretes hormones. Your thyroid produces and releases the following hormones:

• Thyroxine (T4): This is the primary hormone your thyroid makes and releases. Although your thyroid makes the most of this hormone, it doesn’t have much of an effect on your metabolism. Once your thyroid releases T4 into your bloodstream, it can convert to T3 through a process called deiodination in the liver.
• Triiodothyronine (T3): Your thyroid produces lesser amounts of T3 than T4, but it has a much greater effect on your metabolism than T4.
• Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3): Your thyroid makes very small amounts of RT3, which reverses the effects of T3.
• Calcitonin: This hormone helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. It plays a role in regulating the level of calcium in your blood by decreasing it. The C-cells in your thyroid gland produce calcitonin.

Your thyroid’s main job is to control your metabolism — how your body uses energy. Sometimes, your thyroid doesn’t work properly. These conditions are common and treatable.

More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will experience a thyroid condition at some point in their lives.  Yet, thyroid disease often goes undetected: as many as 60% of people don’t know they have it, which is why regular screening is important.”

Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23188-thyroid)