# Detection of bronchoesophageal fistula in an infant: a case report

## TL;DR

A rare case of bronchoesophageal fistula in a six-month-old infant is diagnosed and treated with surgery.

## Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on congenital bronchoesophageal fistula in infants.

## Key findings

- A six-month-old infant presented with chronic cough and breathing difficulties, later diagnosed with BEF.
- Diagnostic investigations confirmed BEF, leading to surgical intervention.
- The case emphasizes the need for high clinical suspicion to diagnose rare malformations like BEF.

## Abstract

Bronchoesophageal fistula (BEF) is a rare malformation, presenting with abnormal communication between the bronchus and the esophagus, which can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula is rare; this case study presents a clinical case of a six-month-old male infant of African descent with a history of chronic cough and breathing difficulties since birth, treated as a case of recurrent pneumonia without improvement. Following a thorough series of investigations, the diagnosis of bronchoesophageal fistula (BEF) was confirmed, prompting the decision to proceed with surgical intervention. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion to accurately diagnose BEF.