Synonyms

• VATER Association
• VATERS association
• VACTERLS 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) = tracheoesophageal fistula
(E) = esophageal atresia
(R) = renal (kidney) abnormalities
(L) = 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). 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. The exact cause of VACTERL association is unknown. Most cases occur randomly, for no apparent reason (sporadic).
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Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: 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
Email: chaser@compuserve.com
Internet: 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
Email: tefvater@ix.netcom.com
Internet: http://www.tefvater.org

Campbell, Robert, M.D.
Santa Rosa Children's Hospital
519 West Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78207
Tel: (210)704-2988

EA/TEF Child and Family Support Connection, Inc.
111 West Jackson Boulevard
Suite 1145
Chicago, IL 60604-3502
USA
Tel: 3129879085
Fax: 3129879086
Email: info@eatef.org
Internet: 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
Email: office@tofs.org.uk
Internet: http://www.tofs.org.uk

VATER Connection, Inc.
1722 Yucca Lane
Emporia, KS 66801
Tel: (620)342-6954
Fax: (620)342-6954
Email: angie@vaterconnection.org
Internet: http://www.vaterconnection.org

Birth Defect Research for Children
930 Woodcock Rd
Suite 225
Orlando, FL 32803
USA
Tel: 4078950802
Fax: 4078950824
Email: staff@birthdefects.org
Internet: 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: 9203365333
Fax: 9203390995
Tel: 8773365333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: 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:  4/22/2008
Copyright  1987, 1989, 1992, 2003National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.