​A research project by Marika Nathalie Schmidt​
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​Background

Tracheomalacia (TM) often occurs together with esophageal atresia (EA), which is a congenital malformation that affects approx. 1 in 2500 newborns. The children are born with a closed esophagus and operated shortly after birth. They often have problems eating and gaining weight, but in many cases serious lung problems are also seen. The lung problems are caused by TM, the additional malformation which involves the cartilage rings of trachea, so that they fail to keep the trachea open as in healthy children. The children’s lives will often be limited by pneumonias, asthma-like symptoms and reduced physical activity. The lung problems begin in infancy and continue into adulthood. The lung problems are scarcely described, just as it has not been determined how to assess the disease burden with lung functions measurements.

Regular lung function measurement (spirometry) is performed on all children with TM > 6 years. However, the method does not appear to be useful as it is performed during forced expiration where trachea collapses in patients with TM. 

Aim

The study aims to determine which lung function measurement is the most suitable to determine lung disease in children med esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheomalacia (TM) aged 0-18 years. The most suited lung function measurement will be used in a large cross sectional and longitudinal study, which will be the backbone in a new structured and evidence-based follow-up program for these children.