The Baby Shay Williamson Fund
Baby Shay!  Internet Resources:
Vater Syndrome
 

VATER is an acronym (ac-ro-nim). Each letter in VATER stands for a body part with a birth defect (problem that the child is born with).

     V = Vertebrae (spinal bones) problem(s). An example is abnormally formed vertebrae
     (hemivertebrae).
     A = Anus and sometimes rectum problem(s). An example is no opening where the anus
     should be (imperforate anus)
     T = Trachea (wind pipe) problem(s). An example is a connection between the trachea and
     esophagus (tracheal esophageal fistula).
     E = Esophagus (tube from mouth to stomach) problem(s). An example is a missing part of the
     esophagus (esophageal atresia).
     R = Radius (lower arm bone on thumb side) problem(s). An example is an abnormally formed
     or missing thumb.
                                       also

     R = renal (kidney) problem(s). An example is an abnormally formed kidney.

Sometimes a C, a L and/or a S are added to the acronym (VACTERLS, VATERS, VACTERL are possible acronyms that can result).

     C = Cardiac (heart) problem(s). An example is a hole in the heart
     L = Limb (arms, hands, legs, or feet) problem(s). An example is extra fingers or shortened
     limbs.
     S = Single umbilical artery (umbilical cord had 2 blood vessels instead of 3).

A person with more than two problems in any combination may be recognized as fitting in the
VATER Association (grouping). However, VATER Association is not a diagnosis. There is no one cause for the association of these problems in individuals.

Information courtesy Children's Hospital Medical Center (Cincinnati)

http://www.chmcc.org/pep/pep1038.htm


Other Internet Links   (let us know if we missed any!)

VATER ASSOCIATION: CLINICAL SYNOPSIS
http://www3.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/htbin-post/Omim/dispmim?192350.cs


VATER ASSOCIATION
http://www.childhealthinfo.com/getitem.cfm?itemnumber=1051.00000

TEF/VATER Support Network
http://www.childhealthinfo.com/getitem.cfm?itemnumber=1052

National Association of Rare Disorders
http://www.stepstn.com/nord/rdb_sum/486.htm

All About Kids World Wide Web Site Forum
http://tooltime.primax.com/aak/aak_forum/ThisSiteMenu.html

VATER
http://www.kumc.edu/gec/support/vater.html

The VATER-association in 3 siblings
http://www.sun.ac.za/local/academic/med/med_genetics/pac94.htm

NEW SUPPORT GROUPS
http://www.circ.uab.edu/sergg/w94/gs94w-a.htm
 

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 This page by
Charles P. Anstett
5/27/98