article_snippet: Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect that affects the baby's oesophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
article_snippet: It often happens together with another birth defect called a tracheoesophageal fistula, which is a connection between the upper part of the oesophagus and the windpipe (trachea).
article_snippet: It's not known why the defect develops, but the defect's more likely to happen in babies of mothers who had too much amniotic fluid in pregnancy (polyhydramnios).
article_snippet: the defect means the baby won't be able to swallow and digest food safely, or at all.
article_snippet: Oesophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula are thought to affect about one in 2,500-3,500 births.
article_snippet: If they're not corrected soon after birth, the pouch at the end of the oesophagus may fill with food and saliva, which can overflow into the baby.
article_snippet: The condition often occurs alongside another birth defect called a tracheoesophageal fistula.
article_snippet: Bruce Jaffray, consultant paediatric surgeon at the Great North Childrens' Hospital, said: 'A tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormality with the oesophagus which develops incorrectly - essentially leading to two blind endings to the oesophagus, the lower ending of which stopping at the windpipe. '
article_snippet: If a tube gets stuck in the chest as opposed to reaching the stomach, a tracheoesophageal fistula is diagnosed.'