Choanal atresia
Choanal atresia is a congenital disorder where the back of the nasal passage is blocked, usually by abnormal bony or soft tissue due to failed hole development of the nasal fossae during prenatal development. It causes persistent rhinorrhea, and with bilateral choanal atresia, an obstructed airway that can cause cyanosis and hypoxia.
Choanal atresia is diagnosed based on the inability to place a nasal catheter, and radiology results. Treatment involves maintaining an open airway, and may involve surgery to reopen the airway, potentially with a stent. Choanal atresia is a fairly rare condition, affecting between 1 in 7,000 to 1 in 5,000 live births. It is more common in females and is more often unilateral.
Presentation
Choanal atresia can be unilateral or bilateral.- A unilateral choanal atresia may not be detected until much later in life because the baby manages to get along with only one nostril available for breathing. Symptoms are minor, including persistent rhinorrhea and chronic sinusitis.
- Bilateral choanal atresia is a life-threatening condition because the baby will be unable to breathe directly after birth as babies are obligate nasal breathers. In some cases, this may present as cyanosis while the baby is feeding, because the oral air passages are blocked by the tongue, further restricting the airway. Cyanosis may improve when the baby cries, as the oral airway is used. These babies may require airway resuscitation soon after birth.
Associated conditions
Choanal atresia is associated with a higher risk of other airway problems, including:Sometimes, babies born with choanal atresia also have other abnormalities:
- coloboma.
- heart defects and cardiovascular disease.
- intellectual disability.
- growth impairment.
- genital hypoplasia.
- CHARGE syndrome.
- others.
Cause
Choanal atresia is caused by problems with the development of the nasal cavity and the palate. Development begins with neural crest cells. Frontonasal processes fold, forming nasal placodes. The nasobuccal membrane must rupture in places to form the choanae. A number of theories exist as to how this developmental process causes choanal atresia.Risk factors
Very few risk factors for choanal atresia have been identified. In general, choanal atresia is associated with a higher risk of other birth defects. Bilateral choanal atresia is more associated than unilateral choanal atresia.While causes are unknown, both genetic and environmental triggers are suspected. One study suggests that chemicals that act as endocrine disrupters may put an unborn infant at risk. A 2012 epidemiological study looked at atrazine, a commonly used herbicide in the U.S., and found that women who lived in counties in Texas with the highest levels of this chemical being used to treat agricultural crops were 80 times more likely to give birth to infants with choanal atresia or stenosis compared to women who lived in the counties with the lowest levels. Another epidemiological report in 2010 found even higher associations between increased incidents of choanal atresia and exposure to second-hand-smoke, coffee consumption, high maternal zinc and B-12 intake and exposure to anti-infective urinary tract medications. The anti-thyroid medication methimazole has been associated with the development of choanal atresia in rare cases if given during the first trimester of pregnancy.