The presence of severe airway anomalies in infants with congenital heart disease is linked to poor prognosis. Our short report describes the outcomes of seven infants with complex congenital heart disease and tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal or tracheal atresia. We reviewed the prenatal and postnatal course of the mothers and infants to identify prenatal markers and overall outcomes. There was prenatal suspicion for tracheal anomaly in only two of the patients. Morbidity and mortality was high among our patients: four neonates died within the first days of life, and one of the three living infants required tracheostomy. Our report indicates a need for heightened awareness of potential airway anomalies in patients with complex congenital heart disease in order to improve prenatal diagnosis and counseling.
Author(s): Felicia W. Tsaur, Anna W. Kneitel, Carlen G. Fifer