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Genital and urinary tract malformations, associated morbidity, and need for urogenital surgery among children with esophageal atresia : a retrospective cohort study

Svensson, Emma LU orcid ; Eriksson, Freja LU ; Hagander, Lars LU orcid ; Omling, Erik LU orcid ; Ellebæk, Mark Bremholm and Salö, Martin LU (2026) In Pediatric Surgery International 42(1).
Abstract

Purpose: Genital malformations are increasingly recognized when a VACTERL is present, but remain insufficiently described in children with esophageal atresia (EA). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and spectrum of genital and urinary tract malformations in children with EA, and to describe associated morbidity, need for additional surgery, and association with Gross classification. Methods: Retrospective cohort study including all children undergoing surgery for EA at a tertiary center of pediatric surgery between 2012–2023. Children deceased within five days of birth were excluded. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using Chi2 and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Ninety-three children were... (More)

Purpose: Genital malformations are increasingly recognized when a VACTERL is present, but remain insufficiently described in children with esophageal atresia (EA). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and spectrum of genital and urinary tract malformations in children with EA, and to describe associated morbidity, need for additional surgery, and association with Gross classification. Methods: Retrospective cohort study including all children undergoing surgery for EA at a tertiary center of pediatric surgery between 2012–2023. Children deceased within five days of birth were excluded. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using Chi2 and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Ninety-three children were included. Genital and urinary tract malformations occurred in 12 (12.9%) and 18 (19.4%) children. In children with a VACTERL association, the prevalence was 29% (9/31) and 51.6% (16/31), respectively. Urinary tract infections, neurogenic bladder, and intermittent catheterization were more common in children with a genital or urinary tract malformation. Additional urogenital surgery was required in 50% of affected children. There was no significant association with Gross classification. Conclusion: Genital and urinary tract malformations are common in EA, contributing to morbidity and need for additional surgery. Screening for genital malformations should be considered, especially when a VACTERL association is present.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
CAKUT, Esophageal atresia, Genital malformation, Kidney failure, Urinary tract malformation, VACTERL
in
Pediatric Surgery International
volume
42
issue
1
article number
180
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:41954661
  • scopus:105035377098
ISSN
0179-0358
DOI
10.1007/s00383-026-06403-9
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026.
id
5f9ca1fc-2d47-49a0-8d98-3cc0edcf9001
date added to LUP
2026-05-28 15:18:58
date last changed
2026-05-29 10:16:14
@article{5f9ca1fc-2d47-49a0-8d98-3cc0edcf9001,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose: Genital malformations are increasingly recognized when a VACTERL is present, but remain insufficiently described in children with esophageal atresia (EA). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and spectrum of genital and urinary tract malformations in children with EA, and to describe associated morbidity, need for additional surgery, and association with Gross classification. Methods: Retrospective cohort study including all children undergoing surgery for EA at a tertiary center of pediatric surgery between 2012–2023. Children deceased within five days of birth were excluded. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using Chi<sup>2</sup> and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Ninety-three children were included. Genital and urinary tract malformations occurred in 12 (12.9%) and 18 (19.4%) children. In children with a VACTERL association, the prevalence was 29% (9/31) and 51.6% (16/31), respectively. Urinary tract infections, neurogenic bladder, and intermittent catheterization were more common in children with a genital or urinary tract malformation. Additional urogenital surgery was required in 50% of affected children. There was no significant association with Gross classification. Conclusion: Genital and urinary tract malformations are common in EA, contributing to morbidity and need for additional surgery. Screening for genital malformations should be considered, especially when a VACTERL association is present.</p>}},
  author       = {{Svensson, Emma and Eriksson, Freja and Hagander, Lars and Omling, Erik and Ellebæk, Mark Bremholm and Salö, Martin}},
  issn         = {{0179-0358}},
  keywords     = {{CAKUT; Esophageal atresia; Genital malformation; Kidney failure; Urinary tract malformation; VACTERL}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Pediatric Surgery International}},
  title        = {{Genital and urinary tract malformations, associated morbidity, and need for urogenital surgery among children with esophageal atresia : a retrospective cohort study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00383-026-06403-9}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s00383-026-06403-9}},
  volume       = {{42}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}