Laryngotracheoesophageal Cleft; Neonatal Presentation and Diagnostic Challenges

Congenital laryngeal clefts are rare developmental disorders of the upper airway accounting for 0.3% to 0.5% of all congenital anomalies of the larynx. The study is reporting the research team's first experience with this anomaly at the Armed Force Hospital Southern Region to emphasize the difficulties and the challenges in the diagnosis as well as the treatment of such infants.This is a 32 week preterm female infant with antenatal ultrasound diagnosis of isolated esophageal atresia. After delivery the team faced a great difficulty in intubation and passing nasogastric tube. A large NGT size 12FR passed to the stomach, and contrast study showed abnormal anteriorly located esophagus, which suggested a common esophageotracheal tract. Esophagogram and soft fibro-optic endoscopy was done by ENT consultant which confirmed the presence of long segment laryngo– rachea-esophageal cleft. The infant was transferred to tertiary center where she died from respiratory failure at the age of 6 months.