A comparison of incidence trends for esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, and infectious disease.
There has been a suggestion that esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) may be related to the occurrence of infectious disease in the population during the time of early gestation. There is therefore a need for further data on trends in incidence related to infectious diseases. Data on the occurrence of EA/TEF with and without additional congenital malformations may also be relevant. The British Columbia Health Surveillance Registry is population-based with excellent case ascertainment of birth defects, and data are available on the incidence of infectious diseases for B.C., allowing comparison of trends to be made. One hundred forty-nine cases of EA/TEF occurred among 534,834 consecutive livebirths during the period 1966-1980 for an incidence rate of 1/3,590. No significant (p less than 0.05) annual, seasonal or monthly incidence trends were observed. In addition, the occurrence of EA/TEF could not be correlated with the prior incidence of infectious hepatitis, rubella, salmonella, or rubeola. Fifty-five percent of individuals with EA/TEF had congenital malformations in other systems, most frequently cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary. Most individuals with additional congenital malformations had multiple system involvement.
Fraser
C
C
Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Baird
P A
PA
Sadovnick
A D
AD
D001955:British Columbia; D002648:Child; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology*