Tracheal agenesis in infants with VATER association
J. M. Milstein, M. Lau and R. G. Bickers
Four newborns had tracheal agenesis and numerous features of the VATER
(vertebral defects, imperforate anus, tracheoesophageal fistula, and radial
and renal dysplasia) association. Forty-two additional reported cases of
tracheal agenesis have been reviewed to establish whether this defect
usually occurs in association with other VATER abnormalities. Since
tracheal agenesis usually is accompanied by other VATER-associated defects
and since similar abnormalities in embryological mechanisms and timing are
implicated, according to current theories of development, we propose that
tracheal agenesis should be considered a component of the VATER
association.
