Living with VATER association
A condition present at birth that can affect the spine, anus, heart, windpipe and food pipe, kidneys, and limbs.
Understanding VATER association
VACTERL stands for spine (vertebral) defects, anal atresia, heart defects, a windpipe-to-food-pipe connection (tracheo-esophageal fistula), kidney differences, and limb differences. People usually have at least three of these. They may also have other differences. GARD says some need surgery in infancy.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Spine bone differences
- Closed or narrowed anus (anal atresia)
- Heart differences
- Windpipe-food pipe connection (fistula)
- Missing or misshapen kidneys
- Forearm or limb differences
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include digestive system specialists, genetic specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Pull-thru Network and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't name specific genes or an inheritance pattern. It says changes in genes (variants) cause this condition.
Also known as: vacterl association; vacterl syndrome; vacterl/vater association; vertebral abnormalities, anal atresia, cardiac abnormalities, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, limb defects (vacterl) syndrome; vertebral abnormalities, anal atresia, cardiac abnormalities, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, limb defects syndrome
Patient organizations
- Pull-thru NetworkVATER association · United States
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with VATER association.
Explore research for VATER association
Explore actively recruiting VATER association studies with HealthSpark.
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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