VACTERLS association
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is the acronym of birth defects which occur together sufficiently frequently to warrant consideration as a an entity in itself.
The VATER acronym signifies:
- V - vertebral anomalies
- A - anal atresia
- T - tracheo-oesophageal fistula
- E - oesophageal atresia
- R - renal anomalies
At least three of the components of VATER must be present in order to make a diagnosis. Also commonly associated are cardiac malformations and digital anomalies such as polydactyly, syndactyly and abnormal thumbs.
Many of these patients are afflicted by additional anomalies leading to the VACTERLS association:
- V - vertebral anomalies
- A - anal atresia
- C - cardiac defects
- T - tracheo-oesophageal fistula
- E - oEsophageal atresia
- R - renal anomalies
- L - limb deformities
- S - single umbilical artery