TYK378
You are caring for an infant presenting for repair of TEF. Choose the one TRUE statement about TEF from the following:
a) The most common form of TEF involves a proximal connection between the trachea and esophagus, with a distal blind esophageal pouch
b) Diagnosis of TEF is commonly via use of oral contrast to define the level of esophageal atresia
c) H-type TEF usually presents during infancy with poor weight gain
d) Commonly a history of polyhydramnios is present
e) TEF is associated with the genetic syndrome referred to by the acronym “VACTERL”
Answer
Answer d. A history of polyhydramnios is common due to impaired in utero swallowing. While TEF is associated with VACTERL, this condition is an association of anomalies and not a genetic syndrome. Diagnosis of TEF is usually via CXR showing failure of an orogastric tube to pass through the esophageal atresia, and the most common form of TEF is proximal esophageal atresia with distal fistula. H-type fistulas are rare and usually present later in life with chronic respiratory symptoms or aspiration events.
Notes
- This question originally printed in the Pediatric Anesthesiology Review Topics kindle book series, and appears courtesy of Naerthwyn Press, LLC.