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Choanal atresia
Choanal atresia is a narrowing or blockage of the nasal airway by tissue. It is a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth.
Causes
The cause of choanal atresia is unknown. It is thought to occur when the thin tissue separating the nose and mouth area during fetal development remains after birth.
The condition is the most common nasal abnormality in newborn infants. Females get this condition about twice as often as males. More than half of affected infants also have other congenital problems.
Choanal atresia is most often diagnosed shortly after birth while the infant is still in the hospital.
Symptoms
Newborns generally prefer to breathe through their nose. Typically, infants only breathe through their mouths when they cry. Babies with choanal atresia have difficulty breathing unless they are crying.
Choanal atresia may affect 1 or both sides of the nasal airway. Choanal atresia blocking both sides (bilateral) of the nose causes acute breathing problems with cyanosis (bluish discoloration) and breathing failure. Infants with bilateral choanal atresia may need resuscitation at delivery. More than half of infants have a blockage on only 1 side, which causes less severe problems.
Cyanosis
Cyanosis is a bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane that is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
Resuscitation
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when a baby's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may ...
Symptoms include:
- Chest retracts unless the child is breathing through mouth or crying.
-
Difficulty breathing
following birth, which may result in cyanosis (bluish discoloration), unless infant is crying.
Difficulty breathing
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inability to nurse and breathe at same time.
- Inability to pass a catheter through each side of the nose into the throat.
- Persistent one-sided nasal blockage or discharge.
Exams and Tests
A physical exam may show an obstruction of the nose.
Tests that may be done include:
-
CT scan
CT scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...
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Endoscopy
of the nose
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera and light on the end of it. This instrument is called an...
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Sinus x-ray
Sinus x-ray
A sinus x-ray is an imaging test to look at the sinuses. These are the air-filled spaces in the front of the skull.
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Treatment
The immediate concern is to resuscitate the baby if necessary. An airway may need to be placed so that the infant can breathe. In some cases, intubation or tracheostomy may be needed.
Intubation
Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure in which a tube is placed into the windpipe (trachea) through the mouth or nose. In most emergency si...
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe). A tube is usually placed through this open...
An infant can learn to mouth breathe, which can delay the need for immediate surgery.
Surgery to remove the obstruction cures the problem. Surgery may be delayed if the infant can tolerate mouth breathing. The surgery may be done through the nose (transnasal) or through the mouth (transpalatal).
Outlook (Prognosis)
Full recovery is expected.
Possible Complications
Possible complications include:
-
Aspiration
while feeding and attempting to breathe through the mouth
Aspiration
Aspiration means to draw in or out using a sucking motion. It has two meanings:Breathing in a foreign object (sucking food into the airway). A medic...
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Respiratory arrest
Respiratory arrest
Breathing that stops from any cause is called apnea. Slowed breathing is called bradypnea. Labored or difficult breathing is known as dyspnea....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Renarrowing of the area after surgery
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Choanal atresia, especially when it affects both sides, is generally diagnosed shortly after birth while the infant is still in the hospital. One-sided atresia may not cause symptoms, and the infant may be sent home without a diagnosis.
If your infant has any of the problems listed here, consult your health care provider. The child may need to be checked by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
Prevention
There is no known prevention.
References
Haddad J, Keesecker S. Congenital disorders of the nose. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW III, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 376.
Review Date: 8/5/2015
Reviewed By: Sumana Jothi MD, specialist in laryngology, Clinical Instructor UCSF Otolaryngology, NCHCS VA, SFVA, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
