Sometimes, a unilateral choanal atresia is not detected until much later in life because the baby manages to get along with only one nostril available for breathing.
Bilateral choanal atresia is a very serious life-threatening condition because the baby will then 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. The cyanosis may improve when the baby cries, as the oral airway is used at this time. These babies may require airway resuscitation soon after birth.
Associated conditions
Sometimes babies born with choanal atresia also have other abnormalities:
Very few risk factors for choanal atresia have been identified. 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 medicationmethimazole has been associated with the development of choanal atresia in rare cases if given during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Diagnosis
Choanal atresia can be suspected if it is impossible to insert a nasal catheter. Also, if one notices a continuous stream of mucus draining from one or both nostrils, it could be a sign of an atresia. Another common sign is cyanosis in an infant while breast feeding, as breathing is dependent on nasal patency in this situation. Diagnosis is confirmed by radiological imaging, usually CT scan.
Treatment
The only definitive treatment is surgery to correct the defect by perforating the atresia to create a nasopharyngeal airway. If the blockage is caused by bone, this is drilled through and stent inserted. The patient has to have this sucked out by an air vacuum machine. And in later life as a teenager or in early twenties the hole will have to be re-drilled larger. A stent may be inserted to keep the newly formed airway patent or repeated dilatation may be performed.
