Esophageal narrowing in newborn babies
In babies, a congenital esophageal malformation can lead to a narrowing of the esophagus, but this occurs relatively rarely. A narrowing can occur, for example, after esophageal surgery for congenital esophageal atresia (esophagus = esophagus). An esophageal atresia is a missing lower opening of the esophagus into the stomach.
In another variant of the disease, the esophagus does not open into the stomach, but into the trachea. This malformation must be surgically corrected shortly after birth. Subsequently, the surgically induced scarring can lead to a narrowing of the diameter of the esophagus.
Since malformations of the esophagus rarely occur, the narrowing of the esophagus in newborns is a very rare case. Sometimes, reflux disease occurs in infants, which can lead to a narrowing of the esophagus due to the inflammation that occurs. A reflux disease in babies usually occurs in the context of a neurological disease or a reduced oxygen supply during birth.
From both cases it results that the musculature in the esophagus cannot work properly, so that the reflux of stomach acid is facilitated and consequently a reflux exists. Babies with a narrowed esophagus stand out mainly due to a refusal to eat, spitting, restlessness, coughing and frequent crying. Babies with a narrowed esophagus are conspicuous mainly by a refusal to eat, spitting, restlessness, coughing and frequent crying.
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