The VACTERL association refers to a recognized group of birth defects which tend to co-occur. Note that this pattern is a recognized association, as opposed to a syndrome, because there is no known pathogenetic cause to explain the grouped incidence. Each child with this condition can be unique. At present this condition is treated after birth with issues being approached one at a time. Some infants are born with symptoms that cannot be treated and they do not survive. Causes of this association are debated, though it appears to be genetic according to certain studies. Also, VACTERL association can be linked to other similar conditions such as Klippel Feil and Goldenhar Syndrome including crossovers of conditions. No specific genetic or chromosome problem has been identified with VACTERL association. VACTERL can be seen with some chromosomal defects such as Trisomy 18 and is more frequently seen in babies of diabetic mothers. VACTERL association, however, is most likely caused by multiple factors. VACTERL association specifically refers to the abnormalities in structures derived from the embryonic mesoderm.
Signs and symptoms
The following features are observed with VACTERL association:
Although it was not conclusive whether VACTERL should be defined by at least two or three component defects, it is typically defined by the presence of at least three of the above congenital malformations.
Spine
Vertebral anomalies, or defects of the spinal column, usually consist of small vertebrae or hemivertebra where only one half of the bone is formed. About 80 percent of patients with VACTERL association will have vertebral anomalies. In early life these rarely cause any difficulties, although the presence of these defects on a chest x-ray may alert the physician to other defects associated with VACTERL. Later in life these spinal column abnormalities may put the child at risk for developing scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.
Anal defects
Anal atresia or imperforate anus is seen in about 55 percent of patients with VACTERL association. These anomalies are usually noted at birth and often require surgery in the first days of life. Sometimes babies will require several surgeries to fully reconstruct the intestine and anal canal.
Esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula is seen in about 70 percent of patients with VACTERL association, although it can frequently occur as an isolated defect. 15 to 33 percent of patients with TE fistulas will also have congenital heart disease. However these babies usually have uncomplicated heart defects, like a ventricular septal defect, which may not require any surgery.
Kidneys
Kidney defects are seen in approximately 50 percent of patients with VACTERL association. In addition, up to 35 percent of patients with VACTERL association have a single umbilical artery which is often associated with additional kidney or urologic problems. Renal abnormalities in VACTERL association can be severe, with incomplete formation of one or both kidneys or urologic abnormalities such as obstruction of outflow of urine from the kidneys or severe reflux of urine into the kidneys from the bladder. These problems can cause kidney failure early in life and may require kidney transplant. Many of these problems can be corrected surgically before any damage can occur.
Limbs
Limb defects occur in up to 70 percent of babies with VACTERL association and include a displaced or hypoplastic thumb, extra digits, fusion of digits and forearm defects such as radial aplasia. Babies with limb defects on both sides tend to have kidney or urologic defects on both sides, while babies with limb defects on only one side of the body tend to have kidney problems on that same side.
Many babies with VACTERL are born small and have difficulty with gaining weight. Babies with VACTERL association, however, do tend to have normal development and normal intelligence.
The incidence of VACTERL association is estimated to be approximately 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 40,000 live-born infants. It is seen more frequently in infants born to diabetic mothers. While most cases are sporadic, there are clearly families who present with multiple involved members.
History
The acronym VATER association was first described by Linda Quan, an emergency room physician and David Smith, a man who was considered the father of dysmorphology in 1972 to define a non-random co-occurrence of the listed defects. Years later, research revealed that cardiac and renal abnormalities were common in the association, and the acronym was changed to VACTERL. The differentiation of the acronyms VACTERL and VATER is due to the variation in defects determined at or prior to birth. VACTERL contains vertebral, anal, cardiac, trachea-esophogeal, renal/kidney, and limb defects where as VATER only has vertebral, anal, trachea-esophogeal, and renal defects. The "R" in VATER represented radial dysplasia. Though the differences are clear, the physical defects vary from case to case.
