A newborn male is noted to have difficulty feeding and "turns blue and chokes when drinking formula." The prenatal records reveal that the amniotic fluid appeared normal on ultrasound. A pediatric feeding tube is passed orally to 20 cm without difficulty, with gastric secretions aspirated. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis: (A) Zenker diveiculum, (B) Tracheoesophageal fistula, (C) Congenital hea disease, (D) Floppy epiglottis
Answer is B. The vast majority newborns with TE fistulae involve a nonpatent esophagus that is diagnosed by the inability to pass a feeding tube. However, the baby in this case most likely has an unusual type of TE fistula (H type) in which the esophagus is patent but there is a connection between the esophagus and the trachea. When the baby feeds, the formula is aspirated into the tracheobronchial tree, leading to choking and cyanosis. This condition may be diagnosed with a radiologic contrast study and requires surgical correction. Ref:- Harsh mohan textbook of Pathology