Esophagic atresia type and its association with heart malformations in a Northern Mexico hospital.

Objective: To know the cardiac malformations frequency associated with esophageal atresia and its type in patients of the Children's Specialties Hospital of Chihuahua as well as related sociodemographic characteristics.

Method: The epidemiology, clinic and evolution of patients with esophageal atresia diagnosis who were admitted to this hospital for a period of two years were studied. Variables such as sex, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, atresia type, associated congenital malformations, hospital complications and parental related aspects were analyzed.

Results: Twelve patients were studied, 50% of them were male, most of them were products of term pregnancies with adequate birth weight. There were mestizo ethnicity prevalence, young mothers children with a medium socio-economic level, without geographical predominance. 82% of the cases corresponded to type III esophageal atresia, the most frequent congenital malformations associated were cardiac in 83% of which 90% corresponded to atrial septum defects.

Conclusions: Esophageal atresia is a relatively common congenital malformation of multifactorial etiology. A complete approach to patients with this pathology is necessary to identify a concomitant illness and provide adequate treatment.