Choanal Atresia

Choanal atresia is a birth defect where the back of a child’s nasal passage is blocked, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. It can affect one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) of the nose.

Choanal atresia is a birth defect caused by abnormal development during early pregnancy. While the exact cause is unknown, it is considered a developmental anomaly and may occur on its own or as part of other genetic conditions.

Choanal atresia can cause noticeable breathing and feeding difficulties in newborns and infants. Babies with bilateral choanal atresia often show signs of respiratory distress shortly after birth, which may improve when they cry—since crying forces them to breathe through their mouth. Other symptoms include noisy breathing, trouble feeding, nasal drainage and an inability to pass a small suction catheter through the nose.

Choanal atresia is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination and specialized imaging. If a newborn shows signs of breathing difficulty, doctors may attempt to pass a small catheter through the nasal passage—if it doesn’t pass, this may indicate a blockage. To confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the obstruction, physicians use nasal endoscopy, a procedure that allows direct visualization of the nasal passages, and CT scans, which provide detailed images of the nasal anatomy.

Treatment for choanal atresia typically involves surgery to open the blocked nasal passage and restore airflow.