About vacterl association

What is vacterl association?

General Discussion

VACTERL association is a nonrandom association of birth defects that affects multiple median and para-median structures. The term VACTERL is an acronym with each letter representing the first letter of one of the more common findings seen in affected children:(V) = (costo-) vertebral abnormalities
(A) = anal atresia
(C) = cardiac (heart) defects
(TE) = tracheal-esophageal abnormalities, including atresia, stenosis and fistula
(R) = renal (kidney) and radial abnormalities
(L) = (non-radial) limb abnormalities
(S) = single umbilical artery Variability of such associations is wide and the relevance of each component usually varies by the observers. For this reason, from an original nucleus of "VATER" anomalies, the subsequent observation of an increased rate of heart malformations (C), non-radial limb anomalies (L) and single umbilical artery (S) expanded the phenotypic continuum grouping together all these conditions (i.e. VATER, VACTER, VACTERL and VACTERLS associations). At the moment, VACTERL association is the most frequently used term to define this condition. In addition, to the above mentioned features, affected children may also exhibit pre- and/or post-natal growth deficiency with failure to gain weight and grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive). Further low-frequency findings include facial asymmetry (hemifacial microsomia), external ear malformations, lung lobation defects, intestinal malrotation and genital anomalies. VATER/VACTERL features are more common in twinning. In some cases, the acronym VATER association is used. Mental functioning and intelligence is usually unaffected; developmental delay/mental retardation should suggest an alternative diagnosis. The exact cause of VACTERL association is unknown. Most cases occur randomly, for no apparent reason (sporadic).

What are the symptoms for vacterl association?

Redness and swelling of the throat that may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing symptom was found in the vacterl association condition

VACTERL association involves multiple anatomical defects. These defects are congenital and may be obvious at birth (e.g., anal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia, radial defects) or not become recognized until later (e.g., cardiac, vertebral, and renal malformations). The combination of malformations may vary greatly from one child to another and an affected child will typically not have all of the malformations listed below.

Vertebral Abnormalities

Vertebral abnormalities are defects of the spinal column. These defects include missing vertebrae, malformed vertebrae (half-formed vertebrae termed hemivertebrae, butterfly-shaped vertebrae, vertebral clefts and fusion of vertebrae), missing ribs, an increased number of ribs (supernumerary ribs), rib fusions and splitting of ribs. Side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and absence of the tailbone, the lowest bone of the spinal column (sacral agenesis), may also occur.

Anal Atresia

Anal atresia is a malformation in which the opening that connects the rectum through the anus to the exterior is closed. The closure may be a thin membrane of skin or a thicker blockage of skin and muscle. This condition, also termed imperforate anus, prevents the normal passage of bowel contents. Anal atresia may coexist with abnormalities in the lower urogenital tract.

Cardiac (Heart) Defects

A number of different cardiac defects may occur in the VACTERL association, the most common being ventricular septal defects (VSDs). The normal heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers, known as atria, are separated from each other by a fibrous partition known as the atrial septum. The two lower chambers are known as ventricles and are separated from each other by the ventricular septum. Valves connect the atria (left and right) to their respective ventricles. The aorta, the main vessel of arterial circulation, carries blood away from the left ventricle to the rest of the body. A VSD is a hole in the ventricular septum and may occur anywhere in the septum. The size and location of the defect determine the severity of the symptoms. A small ventricular septal defect may close on its own (spontaneously) or become less significant as the child matures and grows. A moderately-sized defect may affect the ability of the heart to pump blood efficiently to the lungs and the rest of the body (congestive heart failure). Symptoms associated with heart failure include an abnormally rapid rate of breathing (tachypnea), wheezing, an unusually fast heartbeat (tachycardia), and failure to grow at the expected rate (Failure to thrive). A large ventricular septal defect may cause life-threatening complications during infancy.

Additional congenital heart defects that have occurred in the VACTERL association include atrial septal defects (ASDs); hypoplastic left heart syndrome (a life-treating condition in which there is underdevelopment of the left ventricle, the aortic and/or mitral valve, and the ascending aorta); transposition of the great arteries (a condition in which the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched in positions); a complex malformation known as tetralogy of Fallot; and patent ductus arteriosus [a condition in which the passage between the blood vessel that leads to the lungs (pulmonary arteries) and the major artery of the body (aorta) fails to close after birth]. (For more information on those conditions, choose the name of the disorder as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Tracheoesophageal Fistula and/or Esophageal Atresia

An abnormal connection between the trachea and the esophagus (tracheoesophageal fistula) is the most common birth defect in the VACTERL association. The malformation potentially allows food to be inhaled (aspirated) into the lungs, which, in turn, may result in respiratory infections (e.g., pneumonia) and Failure to thrive. Esophageal atresia, a malformation in which the esophagus narrows to a thin cord or ends in a blind pouch rather than providing passage to the stomach, may also be present. These two conditions may result in breathing, feeding and swallowing difficulties.

Renal Abnormalities

A variety of abnormalities affecting the kidneys and urinary tract including absence of development of one or both kidneys (renal aplasia), malformation of one or both kidneys (renal dysplasia), displaced or malpositioned kidneys (renal ectopia), abnormal backflow (reflux) of urine into the tube (ureter) that carries urine to the bladder (vesicoureteral reflux), resulting in abnormal accumulation of urine in the kidneys (hydronephrosis). In addition, affected children may experience frequent urinary tract infections and the urethral opening may be abnormally positioned at the end of the penis (hypospadias).

Limb Anomalies

Another major finding associated with VACTERL association is defects affecting the forearm on the thumb side (radius). These defects may include absence of the radius (radial aplasia), underdevelopment of the radius (radial hypoplasia), underdevelopment or absence of the thumb and/or the presence of an extra bone in the thumb (triphalangeal thumb). Other limb anomalies including extra digits (polydactyly), webbing of the digits (syndactyly), abnormal fusion of the two forearm Bones (radioulnar synostosis) and lower limb malformations (such as clubfoot, and hypoplasia of the great toe and tibia) have been described in VACTERL association.

Other Birth Defects

Additional birth defects that have been reported to occur in a minority of affected individuals include facial asymmetry (hemifacial microsomia), abnormal shape and size of the ears, narrowing of the larynx (laryngeal stenosis), narrowing of the passages from the back of the nose to the throat that make it possible to breathe through the nose (choanal atresia), lung malformations , protrusion of part of the intestines through an abnormal opening in the muscular abdominal wall near the umbilical cord (omphalocele), intestinal misplacement and misalignment (malrotation), and tethered spinal cord. A single umbilical artery rather than the usual two arteries has been found in a minority of infants with VACTERL association. (For information on this condition, choose “tethered spinal cord” as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Some infants and young children with VACTERL association may grow slower than normal. In the vast majority of patients, VACTERL association does not affect mental functioning and intelligence.

With the improvement of medical and surgical care, the patient outcomes (prognosis) of VACTERL association are much better than they were before. However, affected individuals may experience medical complications throughout life. For instance, vertebral malformations might lead to scoliosis and chronic back pain, anal atresia might be associated with incontinence and/or constipation, gastro-esophageal reflux might result from TE fistula and renal anomalies are associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal Stones (nephrolithiasis). In addition, individuals with limb abnormalities and malformation might have functional limitations.

What are the causes for vacterl association?

The exact cause of VACTERL association is unknown. Clearly, the factors that lead to the widespread malformations must influence the very early stages of embryonic development. One or more VACTERL defects have occurred with greater frequency to women with diabetes than in the general population. Rarely, VACTERL association has been associated with gene alterations including duplications or deletions (copy number variation), and mitochondrial dysfunction (the mitochondria is a cellular structure responsible for energy production in the cell).

What are the treatments for vacterl association?

Treatment Although children with VACTERL association may have many complications, their malformations are usually not life threatening. The treatment of VACTERL association is directed toward the specific malformations and related symptoms that occur in each individual, which often varies greatly. Many of the structural abnormalities (radial defects, heart defects, anal atresia, etc.) can be surgically corrected. In some individuals, surgery might be necessary as early as the neonatal period. Repeat surgeries might also be needed later in life to revise or further correct structural defects.

A team approach is essential for optimal treatment of the condition. Individuals diagnosed with VACTERL association will need to be followed by a number of medical and developmental specialists depending on their individual needs. Some of the medical specialists who often follow individuals with VACTERL association include cardiologists, urologists, orthopedists, ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians and clinical geneticists.

Genetic counseling is recommended for affected individuals and their families. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

What are the risk factors for vacterl association?

The causes of Vacterl association disease (VAD) are unknown, but it's been linked to certain viruses like West Nile and Zika. When infection with a virus happens during pregnancy, it can cause VAD in the fetus or newborn. VAD can also be caused by exposure to other substances like toxic chemicals, radiation, and certain medicines during pregnancy.

There are many risk factors for viral association.

  • First, the individual's immune system is weak or compromised. If the body's immune system is too weak to fight off infection, it can lead to the development of a virus.
  • In addition, if the body has an immune response that is too strong, it can also lead to a viral association. People who have autoimmune disorders such as diabetes and lupus could be at risk of developing a viral infection because of their weakened immune systems.
  • People who are immunocompromised due to HIV or AIDS are also at risk of developing a viral infection because their bodies cannot fight off the virus. Viral infections can also occur in individuals who have undergone treatment for cancer or other diseases that affect their immune systems.
  • Other factors include being older than 50 years of age and having other types of eye diseases like cataracts or glaucoma.
Symptoms
Sore throat,Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils),Redness and swelling of the throat that may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing,Fever, but not always high enough to warrant a trip to the doctor,Headache, body aches and pains, and other flu-like symptoms
Conditions
HIV/AIDS,Hepatitis B,Hepatitis C,Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) I and II,Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2,Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Drugs
Hepatitis A and B vaccines,Flu shots,Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine,Chickenpox vaccine

Is there a cure/medications for vacterl association?

There is no cure for Vaterl association, and there are no medications that can be taken to treat it. However, there are a few things you can do to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

  • First of all, it's important to remember that vaterl association is not fatal. It's also not contagious. What this means is that you can go about your day-to-day activities as usual—you don't have to isolate yourself from friends or family members just because you have this condition!
  • Second, it's important to stay hydrated. Vaterl association causes the salivary glands in your mouth to swell up, which can make it difficult for them to produce saliva. This means that you may have dry mouth and need more frequent sips of water than normal—just keep an eye on how much liquid you're drinking throughout the day so that your kidneys don't get overwhelmed!
  • Third, if your symptoms are especially bad (such as difficulty swallowing), consider speaking with your doctor or dentist about taking over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications will help reduce swelling and pain in your throat area so that eating becomes easier again!
Symptoms
Sore throat,Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils),Redness and swelling of the throat that may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing,Fever, but not always high enough to warrant a trip to the doctor,Headache, body aches and pains, and other flu-like symptoms
Conditions
HIV/AIDS,Hepatitis B,Hepatitis C,Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) I and II,Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2,Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Drugs
Hepatitis A and B vaccines,Flu shots,Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine,Chickenpox vaccine

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