Atrésie de l'œsophage : comment améliorer le diagnostic ?

Esophageal atresia (EA) is not a very rare malformation, and is often missed prenatally despite various imaging techniques. Its prognosis is excellent especially in isolated forms with short or no gap between upper and lower segments of the esophagus, which are precisely the cases challenging prenatal investigations. Systematic searching for EA at birth was the rule in France until the past decade. This practice tends now to be abandoned with consequences that are discussed. Guidelines for all actors in maternity hospitals are highlighted to avoid misdiagnosis and subsequent altering of the prognosis.