[Esophageal atresia and associated anomalies]

Twenty-seven newborns with esophageal atresia were reviewed for the presence of other congenital associated anomalies. The incidence of esophageal atresia was 2.6 cases for every 10,000 live births. Associated anomalies were present in 59.25% of these cases. Cardiac malformations were the most frequent associated defect (40.7%). Ten infants met the criteria for VACTERL association. The birth weights and gestational ages were similar for both the surviving and deceased infants. Broncho-aspiration was the only significant factor associated with mortality: 75% of the infants who had broncho-aspiration died, versus only 26.3% if aspiration was not present. When associated anomalies were present, mortality was 56.25%, whereas only 18.18% of the infants without these anomalies died (p = 0.055). We conclude that only broncho-aspiration and associated anomalies relate to mortality in esophageal atresia, whereas the birth weight, the other Waterston's prognosis factor, is not important.