What is the difference between an esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal fistula?

Teacheal Connection: Developmental problems of the esophagus an lead to atresia with or without abnormal connection to the trachea. The most common type is a separation of he upper and lower separation wih the lower part connected to the trachea. Occasionally the esophagus is not separated but therer is an abnormal connection to the trachea.

Often associated: About 1 in 4000 live births results in an anomaly of the esophagus &/or trachea. The most common form is esophageal atresia (ea) with distal tracheosesophageal fistula (tef) -- the upper and lower parts of the esophagus (swallowing tube) are not connected, & the lower part is connected to the trachea (breathing tube). There can also be ea by itself, or tef by itself, or other rarer combinations.