What is tracheoesophageal fistula?
Tracheoesophageal 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. Tracheoesophageal fistula is also known as TE fistula or simply TEF. TE fistula is a birth defect, which is an abnormality that occurs as a fetus is forming in the mother’s uterus. When a baby with a TE fistula swallows, the liquid can pass through the abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea. When this happens, liquid gets into the baby’s lungs. This can cause pneumonia and other problems.
