Tracheoesophageal fistula associated with perforated Meckel's diverticulum.

Neonates with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may present with respiratory distress. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may force air from the tracheobronchial tree, through a distal fistula and into the gastrointestinal tract. We present a newborn with TEF who became moribund during mechanical ventilation. High ventilator pressures transmitted via the TEF caused over distention of the gastrointestinal tract and perforation of a Meckel's diverticulum.