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VACTERL Association
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report VACTERL Associationis not the name you expected.
Synonyms
- VATERS association
- VACTERLS association
- VATER association
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
VACTERL association is a nonrandom association of birth defects that affects multiple organ systems. The term VACTERL is an acronym with each letter representing the first letter of one of the more common findings seen in affected children:
(V) = vertebral abnormalities
(A) = anal atresia
(C) = cardiac (heart) defects
(T) = tracheal anomalies including tracheoesophageal fistula
(E) = esophageal atresia
(R) = renal (kidney) and radial abnormalities
(L) = (other) limb abnormalities
In addition, to the above mentioned features, affected children may also exhibit less frequent abnormalities including growth deficiencies and failure to gain weight and grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive). Further low-frequency findings include facial asymmetry (hemifacial microsomia), external ear malformations, lung lobation defects, intestinal malrotation and genital anomalies. VATER/VACTERL features are more common in twinning. In some cases, the acronym VATER association is used. Some researchers have added an (S) to the VACTERL or VATER acronym to represent a single umbilical artery instead of the normal two. Mental functioning and intelligence is usually unaffected; developmental delay/mental retardation should suggest an alternative diagnosis. The exact cause of VACTERL association is unknown. Most cases occur randomly, for no apparent reason (sporadic).
Resources
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains
NY
10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
800: (888)663-4637
Askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
Congenital Heart Anomalies, Support, Education, & Resources
2112 North Wilkins Road
Swanton
OH
43558
Tel: (419)825-5575
Fax: (419)825-2880
chaser@compuserve.com
http://www.csun.edu/~hcmth011/chaser/chaser-news.html
TEF/VATER/VACTRL National Support Network
15301 Grey Fox Road
Upper Marlboro
MD
20772
Tel: (301)952-6837
Fax: (301)952-9152
tefvater@ix.netcom.com
http://www.tefvater.org
EA/TEF Child and Family Support Connection, Inc.
111 West Jackson Boulevard
Suite 1145
Chicago
IL
60604-3502
USA
Tel: (312)987-9085
Fax: (312)987-9086
info@eatef.org
http://www.eatef.org
Tracheo Oesophageal Fistula Support Group (TOFS)
St. George's Centre
91 Victory Road
Netherfield
Nottingham
Intl
NG4 2NN
United Kingdom
Tel: 0115 961 3092
Fax: 0115 961 3097
office@tofs.org.uk
http://www.tofs.org.uk
VATER Connection, Inc.
1722 Yucca Lane
Emporia
KS
66801
Tel: (620)342-6954
Fax: (620)342-6954
angie@vaterconnection.org
http://www.vaterconnection.org
Birth Defect Research for Children
930 Woodcock Rd
Suite 225
Orlando
FL
32803
USA
Tel: (407)895-0802
Fax: (407)895-0824
staff@birthdefects.org
http://www.birthdefects.org
MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 5/5/2009
Copyright 1987, 1989, 1992, 2003, 2009 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
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