Twisha is born with pure isolated Long Gap Oesophageal Atresia –LGOA with the gap of 4vbs/6cms, type B as shown in this diagram. It is one type of Tracheoesophageal Fistula/Oesophageal Atresia -TOF/OA. This is very rare congenital birth defect which occurs 1 in 4000 babies. This birth defect prevents her eating/swallowing anything by mouth as her Oesophagus (food pipe) is not connected to her stomach. With TOF/OA some baby may have other birth defects “VACTRAL” where there is defect in the heart, kidney, air way, limbs, anus, etc. Fortunately Twisha was lucky to not to have any other birth defect related to TOF/OA. She is born healthy apart from her birth defect. She looks like a normal kid with dressing on. At present Twisha is given a spit fistula on the right side of her chest. It is the opening of her upper Oesophagus to drain her secretions and to help her learn sucking and oral fake feeding practising. She is actually fed by a Gastrostomy button on her belly, which delivers the food directly into her stomach. She is growing on it.
For more information on TOF/OA please follow the links below.
