Features

V - Vertebral anomalies A - Anal atresia C - Cardiovascular anomalies TE - Tracheoesophageal fistula R - Renal (Kidney) and/or radial anomalies L - Limb defects

Vertebral defects
defects of the spinal column Later in life these spinal column abnormalities may put the child at risk for developing scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

Anal defects
Anal atresia or imperforate anus

Cardiac defects
congenital heart disease: ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defects and tetralogy of Fallot. Less common defects are truncus arteriosus and transposition of the great arteries.

Tracheo-esophageal fistula defects

Esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula (TE fistula)

Renal / Kidney defects

Renal (kidney) defects are seen in approximately 50 percent of patients with VACTERL association. In addition, up to 35% of patients with VACTERL association have a single umbilical artery (there are usually two arteries and one vein) which can often be associated with kidney or urologic problems. These defects can be severe with incomplete formation of one or both kidneys or urologic abnormalities such as obstruction of outflow of urine from the kidneys or severe reflux (backflow) of urine into the kidneys from the bladder. These problems can cause kidney failure early in life and may require kidney transplant. Many of these problems can be corrected surgically before any damage can occur. [edit]Limb

defects

Limb defects occur in up to 70 percent of babies with VACTERL association and include a displaced or hypoplastic thumb, extra digits (polydactyly), fusion of digits (syndactyly) and forearm defects such as radial aplasia. Babies with limb defects on both sides tend to have kidney or urologic defects on both

sides, while babies with limb defects on only one side of the body tend to have kidney problems on that same side.