VACTERL Association

The term “VACTERL” describes a group of anomalies which often occur together in newborn babies. It is an acronym for

Verebral (spinal) defects
Anorectal atresia (failure of the anus and lower end of the cut to form)
Cardiac (heart) defects
Tracheo-oesophageal fistula with or without
Esophageal atresia (American spelling of “oesophageal”)
Renal (Kidney) Anomalies
Limb defects