Choanal atresia Health Article

Definition

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, incidence, and risk factors

The cause of choanal atresia is unknown. It is thought to occur when the thin tissue separating the nasal and oral spaces during fetal development remains after birth.

The condition is the most common nasal abnormality in newborn infants, affecting about 1 in 7,000 live births. Females get this condition about twice as often as males. More than half of affected infants also have other congenital problems.

Choanal atresia is generally found shortly after birth while the infant is still in the hospital.

Symptoms

Newborns with this condition are known as "obligate nose breathers." This means the baby must breathe through its nose because the oral airway is not yet developed enough to allow for frequent mouth breathing. In fact, almost the only time an infant with choanal atresia does not breathe through its nose is when crying.

Choanal atresia may affect one or both sides of the nasal airway. Choanal atresia blocking both sides (bilateral) of the nose causes acute breathing problems with cyanosis and breathing failure. Infants with bilateral choanal atresia may need resuscitation at delivery. More than half of infants have a blockage on only one side, which causes less severe problems.

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
• 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

Signs and tests

A physical examination may show an obstruction of the nose.

Tests that may be done include:

• CT scan
• Endoscopy of the nose
• Sinus x-ray