Prenatal conditions

There are many problems that may occur during the prenatal development of the digestive tract that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed here are some for which we have provided only a brief definition; typically, these conditions are treated by a pediatric surgeon (a general surgeon with specialized training in pediatrics).

Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia

Tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula is an abnormal connection in one or more places between the esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach) and the trachea (the tube that leads from the throat to the windpipe and lungs).

Normally, the esophagus and the trachea are two separate tubes that are not connected. TE fistula often occurs with another birth defect known as esophageal atresia. The esophagus is a tube that leads from the throat to the stomach. With esophageal atresia, the esophagus does not form properly while the fetus is developing before birth, resulting in two segments; one part that connects to the throat, and the other part that connects to the stomach. However, the two segments do not connect to each other. More here about tracheoesophageal fistula.

Diaphragmatic hernia

A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect, which is an abnormality that occurs before birth as a fetus is forming in the mother's uterus. An opening is present in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity). With this type of birth defect, some of the organs that are normally found in the abdomen move up into the chest cavity through this abnormal opening. More here about diaphragmatic hernia.

Omphalocele

An omphalocele is a birth defect in which some of the abdominal organs protrude through an opening in the abdominal muscles in the area of the umbilical cord. A translucent membrane covers the protruding organs. More here about omphalocele.

Umbilical and inguinal hernia

A hernia occurs when a section of intestine protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal muscles. A soft bulge is seen underneath the skin where the hernia has occurred. In children, a hernia usually occurs in one of two places:

• Around the belly-button, called an umbilical hernia.
• In the groin area, called an inguinal hernia.

Anorectal malformations

Anorectal malformations are birth defects in which the anus (the opening at the end of the large intestine through which stool passes when a child has a bowel movement) and rectum (the large intestine just above the anus) do not develop properly.