VACTERL Association
ALSO KNOWN AS VATER
VACTERL Association is collection of birth defects affecting different systems of the body. Each letter represents a different abnormality. To be diagnosed with VACTERL there must be three (3) or more conditions identified.
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V: Vertebral Abnormalities:
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congenital scoliosis
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caudal regression
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hemivertebrae
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spina bifida
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missing bones in sacrum
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and more
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A: Anorectal Malformations:
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Anal Atresia/Imperforate Anus
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Cloaca
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C: Cardiac
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hole in the heart
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other Cardiac problems
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TE: Tracheo-oesophageal fistula
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R: Renal anomalies, radial limb abnormailites
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L: Limb abnormalities
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polydactyly/oligodactyly
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other limb abnormalities
Cause: Due to sporadic occurance with no family history of the condition, there is no one factor that can be identified as a cause of VACTERL. There are no consistent or specific genetic abnormalities that can be linked as the cause. (Genetic And Rare Diseases Information Centre, 2018)
Treatment: Every case is different, and treatment will be determined by the medical team based on the severity of each clinical feature.