Respiratory morbidity after repair of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula

Abstract

Respiratory morbidity in 334 patients aged 1 to 37 years with repaired oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula is reported. Just under half the patients were subsequently hospitalised with respiratory illness. Two thirds of admissions were before 5 years of age. Five percent were admitted on more than five occasions. Patients with gastrooesophageal reflux and low birth weight were more likely to be admitted. Thirty-one percent of patients had one or more episodes of pneumonia in the first five years of life and 5% after 15 years. The prevalence of annual bouts of bronchitis in these age groups was 74% and 41% respectively. The prevalence of wheeze was about 40% in all age groups. Patients with symptoms persisting after 15 years were more likely to have had lower respiratory tract illness in early childhood and a history of atopy. In the 12 months before review, weekly episodes of wheezing were present in one third under 5 years and 15% over 15 years. Thirty-two percent of patients aged 5-10 years and 8% over 15 years missed two or more weeks of school or work in the previous year with respiratory illness.