Аңдатпа
Objective: This study aims to review the epidemiological characteristics and prevalence of esophageal atresia (EA) among newborns in the Astana and Akmola region from 2017 to 2022.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 63 cases of esophageal atresia treated at the «University Medical Center» Corporate Fund and the «Multidisciplinary City Hospital No2» in Astana from 2017 to 2022 was conducted. The prevalence was assessed based on the number of live births in the region. Descriptive statistics were used, including the frequency of occurrence per 10,000 newborns and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistics were also compiled by gender, gestational age, birth weight, types of esophageal atresia, associated pathologies, and treatment outcomes.Results: From 2017 to 2022, 63 cases of esophageal atresia were registered among 252,581 newborns in Astana and Akmola region, accounting for 2.5 cases per 10,000 births (0.25‰). The average incidence remained stable with slight variations from 2.4 to 2.6 cases per 10,000 births in different years. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in all pregnant women, but only 9 newborns were diagnosed antenatally. According to the reported cases, 54.8% were boys, and 51.6% of the newborns were born prematurely. The presence of associated pathologies in the majority of children (65%) with esophageal atresia highlights the need for comprehensive medical examination. The most common type of defect was type-C esophageal atresia with a distal tracheoesophageal fistula. Surgical treatment continues to be the only method of correction for EA. However, the choice of method and subsequent management depend on the type and severity of the defect, as well as the presence of associated anomalies. Mortality was observed in 8 (12.7%) newborns. Death was due to prematurity, multiple congenital anomalies, and genetic disorders incompatible with life, which led to the development of sepsis and multi-organ failure.Conclusions: The prevalence of esophageal atresia in Astana and Akmola region is 2.5 cases per 10,000 births (0.25‰), which is consistent with global data, such as in European countries, where the average is 2.43 cases per 10,000 births. Prenatal diagnosis was performed for all pregnant women, but the diagnosis was confirmed in only 14.2% of cases. This underscores the need to improve early detection methods, such as high-resolution ultrasound, and to introduce additional technologies, such as fetal MRI. Despite modern diagnostic and treatment methods, there is a high mortality rate in neonates with esophageal atresia, which requires further attention to improve monitoring and develop individualized treatment strategies to reduce mortality rates. Keywords: congenital malformations, esophageal atresia, prevalence, newborn surgery.