Nutritional Status and Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Esophageal Atresia

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry (TEAR) evaluated the relationship between nutritional status and surgical outcomes in patients with esophageal atresia (EA). The research examined 713 patients with complete data of the neonatal period and first year of life, finding that 56% were boys and 23.7% were small for gestational age (SGA) at birth. The study discovered that patients with SGA had a higher rate of karyotype anomalies and that the incidence of SGA was significantly higher in EA patients with karyotype anomalies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry (TEAR) studied 713 patients with esophageal atresia (EA) from 2015 to 2024.
  • 56% of patients were boys, and 23.7% were small for gestational age (SGA) at birth.
  • Patients with SGA had a higher rate of karyotype anomalies (23.1%) compared to non-SGA patients.
  • The incidence of SGA was significantly higher in EA patients with karyotype anomalies.
  • While 20% of patients improved nutritional status at the 6th month, only one-third of patients improved nutritional status at the end of the first year.
  • Patients with EA should receive closer follow-up to avoid malnutrition, which can lead to poor growth, developmental delay, and impaired immune function.
  • The study highlighted the importance of monitoring nutritional status and addressing any associated anomalies in EA patients.

Statistics:

  • 713 patients were included in the study.
  • 56% of patients were boys.
  • 23.7% of patients were small for gestational age (SGA) at birth.
  • 23.1% of patients with SGA had a higher rate of karyotype anomalies.
  • Only one-third of patients improved nutritional status at the end of the first year.
  • 20% of patients improved nutritional status at the 6th month.

Sources:

  • Nutritional status and surgical outcomes in patients with esophageal atresia: findings from Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry. Pediatric Surgery International, 2025;41(1):310.
  • World Disease Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 111.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from Hacettepe University Discuss Findings in Esophageal Atresia (Nutritional status and surgical outcomes in patients with esophageal atresia: findings from Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry).