title: Oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula in a preterm neonate in Limbe, Cameroon: case report & brief literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oesophageal atresia is a congenital anomaly in which there is interruption of the oesophageal lumen resulting in an upper and lower segment. We present the case of a rare sub-type of Oesophageal atresia with proximal trachea-oesophageal fistula associated with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. This is the first case reported in literature in the South West Region of Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2 day old preterm male baby who presented as an emergency with difficulty breathing, fever and refusal to feed. Initially managed as early onset neonatal sepsis from meconium aspiration syndrome in which a diagnosis of oesophageal atresia was finally made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high index of suspicion for Oesophageal atresia/trachea-oesophageal fistula should prevail when faced with a neonate with the triad: respiratory distress during feeds, regurgitation and persistent frothy salivation. The case discusses the diagnostic dilemma and management difficulties in a preterm neonate with the above association in a low income setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital Limbe, Limbe, Cameroon. leopami64@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Leopold N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Aminde
authors.forename: Veronica N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Ebenye
authors.forename: Walters T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Arrey
authors.forename: Noah F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Takah
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Awungafac
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon; D004933:Esophageal Atresia; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome