Abstract
BackgroundOesophageal atresia is a congenital anomaly in which there is interruption of the oesophageal lumen resulting in an upper and lower segment. We present the case of a rare sub-type of Oesophageal atresia with proximal trachea-oesophageal fistula associated with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. This is the first case reported in literature in the South West Region of Cameroon.Case presentationA 2 day old preterm male baby who presented as an emergency with difficulty breathing, fever and refusal to feed. Initially managed as early onset neonatal sepsis from meconium aspiration syndrome in which a diagnosis of oesophageal atresia was finally made.ConclusionA high index of suspicion for Oesophageal atresia/trachea-oesophageal fistula should prevail when faced with a neonate with the triad: respiratory distress during feeds, regurgitation and persistent frothy salivation. The case discusses the diagnostic dilemma and management difficulties in a preterm neonate with the above association in a low income setting.
Highlights
Oesophageal atresia is a congenital anomaly in which there is interruption of the oesophageal lumen resulting in an upper and lower segment
A high index of suspicion for Oesophageal atresia/trachea-oesophageal fistula should prevail when faced with a neonate with the triad: respiratory distress during feeds, regurgitation and persistent frothy salivation
We report the case of Oesophageal atresia (OA) with proximal trachea-oesophageal fistula (TOF) associated with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) in a preterm infant
Summary
Thorough prenatal work-up is important as the Oesophageal atresia may have been diagnosed earlier by ultrasound scan. Lopez PJ, Keys C, Pierro A, Drake DP, Kiely EM, Curry JI, Spitz L: Oesophageal atresia: improved outcome in high-risk groups? Spitz L, Kiely EM, Morecroft JA, Drake DP: Oesophageal atresia: at-risk groups for the 1990s. Doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-692 Cite this article as: Aminde et al.: Oesophageal atresia with tracheooesophageal fistula in a preterm neonate in Limbe, Cameroon: case report & brief literature review. Authors’ contributions LNA managed the patient initially, wrote the manuscript. VNE contributed to literature review and revision of manuscript. WTA contributed to management and revised the manuscript. NFT contributed to management and critical revision of manuscript.
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