Asymptomatic severe laryngotracheoesophageal cleft (LTEC) in a preterm newborn

• Published in: Case reports in perinatal medicine Vol. 10; no. 1
• Main Authors: Menon, Smriti M., Chandramati, Jayasree, Prabhu, Ashwin S., Ponthenkandath, Sasidharan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 01.01.2021; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Amniotic fluid; Asymptomatic; asymptomatic LTEC; Cartilage; Case reports; Esophagus; Fetuses; Lungs; Ostomy; outcome; Pneumonia; Premature babies; preterm infant; Sepsis; Stomach
• ISSN: 2192-8932; 2192-8959
• DOI: 10.1515/crpm-2020-0091

We are presenting a unique case of severe laryngo-tracheo-esophageal cleft in a preterm infant who remained asymptomatic for several days after birth. Laryngo-tracheo-esophageal cleft (LTEC) is a rare congenital anomaly, representing approximately 0.2–1.5% of congenital laryngeal malformations [Merei JM, Hutson JM. Embryogenesis of tracheo esophageal anomalies: a review. Pediatr Surg Int 2002;18:319–26]. There is an abnormal, posterior, sagittal communication between the larynx and the pharynx, which may extend downward between the trachea and the esophagus.We report a case of LTEC in a preterm newborn whose mother had severe polyhydramnios. A preterm 34-week gestation female newborn was born in our institution whose mother had severe polyhydramnios during third trimester. She was postnatally diagnosed to have type 3 LTEC by the 19th day after birth. In the presence of a large common tracheo-esophageal cavity, the baby did not develop aspiration or respiratory distress despite feeding from birth.This case report illustrates the many factors and the probable mechanisms involved in preventing aspiration.