Esophageal atresia and nutritional outcomes: the influence of anastomotic stricture and gastroesophageal reflux.

Authors

Paula Salcedo Arroyo, Paolo Bragagnini Rodríguez, Rafael Fernández Atuan, Ruth García Romero, Paulina Vargova, Ignacio Ros Arnal, Carolina Corona Bellostas

Published in

The Turkish journal of pediatrics. Volume 68. Issue 4. Pages 662-671. Sep 11, 2026. Epub Sep 11, 2026.

Abstract

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital malformation often associated with long-term gastrointestinal complications and impaired growth. This study aimed to evaluate anthropometric outcomes in children with EA, with particular attention to the impact of associated conditions such as anastomotic stricture and gastroesophageal reflux (GER).
We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with type C EA who underwent primary anastomosis between 2005 and 2021. Anthropometric data were collected at four age intervals (<1 year, 1-4 years, 5-11 years, >11 years) and standardized using validated growth charts. Associations between anthropometric parameters and the presence of stricture or GER were analyzed.
Fifty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Stricture and GER were identified in 32% and 30% of patients, respectively. Infants (<1 year) with stricture had significantly lower BMI Z-scores -2.5 ± 0.7 than those without stricture (-1.1 ± 1.1; p=0.0093), while those with GER had significantly lower weight Z-scores (-2.1 ± 1.0) than those without GER (-1.2 ± 1.1; p=0.0443). Although most patients showed improvement in anthropometric parameters with age, early growth impairment was consistently observed in association with these complications.
Children with EA are at risk of impaired growth during early childhood, particularly when stricture or GER is present. Regular anthropometric monitoring and early nutritional intervention are crucial, especially within the first year of life. Long-term multidisciplinary follow-up is recommended to optimize developmental outcomes.

PMID:
42777198
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Sep 2026.

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