Just wanted to let you all know about some information form the eatef.org forums. (esophageal atresia: a break in the esophagus with tracheoesophageal fistula: connection from the esophagus to the trachea).
Most children with born with ea/tef (and have had it repaired) often have massive reflux for the rest of their lives. Many of them have written in that their children have gotten re-occuring respitory infections from reflux aspirating into their lungs. Kids/babies who have it the worst are on “preventative meds” all winter long. These kids also have tracheomalacia to some extent (which is a soft esophagus, a normal esophagus is hard and ridgid) so when mucus settles in, nothing happens when you cough because it’s just limp. A regular trachea would vibrate the mucus loose. So that is another reason for reoccuring respitory infections. Talk to a Pulminologist if this sounds like your child – the consensus is that most Pediatricians don’t know enough about it to feel comfortable enough to prescribe meds. Here is a list of some of the meds that these kids take:
Flovent: anti-inflametory taken daily in winter months
Pulmicort: A steroid given via nebulizer that takes 14 days to take effect, must be given before the onset of a cold, therefore to be taken daily?
Airomir
Xopenex: Via nebulizer (like Albuterol without the side-effects)
Atrovent
Pediapred: oral steroid
albuterol: Like xopenex
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