Tracheoesophageal fistula in utero. Twenty-two cases.

A retrospective review of 22 infants born with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) with in utero sonograms was performed and the literature was reviewed. TEF or esophageal atresia should be considered when there is polyhydramnios and an absent fluid-filled stomach; these findings were seen in 32% of our cases. Amniotic fluid flows freely through some TEFs, resulting in a normal amount of amniotic fluid and a fluid filled stomach (six of 22 patients), while in other cases, the fluid does not traverse the fistula easily and polyhydramnios results. Polyhydramnios was present in 62% of our cases and was the most common sonographic finding. The earliest age at which polyhydramnios was diagnosed was 24 weeks. Sonography will detect approximately one third of fetuses with TEF; an improved outcome is expected in these fetuses.