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Esophageal and Airway care

Expert care for children with airway and esophageal disorders. Coordinated visits, advanced diagnostics, and surgical expertise. Schedule an appointment today.

Four preschoolers standing

Answers for little airways and esophageal complications

When breathing or swallowing is hard, everyday life becomes overwhelming — for your child and your family. Our pediatric esophageal and airway specialists work together in coordinated visits to diagnose the problem quickly and create a care plan tailored to your child’s needs. Schedule an appointment today to get clear answers and the right support.

Expert pediatric airway & esophageal care

Our coordinated team brings together pediatric surgeons, pulmonologists, ENTs, GI specialists, therapists, and nurses. We diagnose complex airway and esophageal conditions efficiently so your child gets answers and treatment sooner.

One visit, many specialists

Your child sees the full care team in a single coordinated visit, reducing travel, appointments, and uncertainty.

Pediatric-only expertise

Our physicians care solely for infants, children, and teens — ensuring age‑specific, specialized treatment.

Least invasive options first

We prioritize endoscopic and minimally invasive approaches to reduce pain, scarring, and recovery time.

US News and World Report Gastroenterology

National recognition

Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's best children's hospitals in 11 of 11 pediatric specialties, including gastroenterology and GI surgery.

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Conditions we treat

Airway‑related esophageal conditions affect how the esophagus and trachea function and interact. When structural problems disrupt this relationship, children may experience swallowing difficulty, coughing, choking, frequent infections, reflux, vomiting, or feeding intolerance.

We treat:
  • Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia (EA), including long‑gap EA
  • Tracheomalacia, laryngomalacia, bronchomalacia
  • Subglottic/tracheal stenosis and recurrent croup or stridor
  • Chronic cough, aspiration, feeding/swallowing difficulties
  • Esophageal strictures, caustic or foreign‑body injury
  • Severe GERD and reflux‑related airway issues
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and motility disorders
  • Vocal cord paralysis, airway lesions, complex tracheostomy needs
  • Vascular rings or slings causing airway or esophageal compression

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to some common questions about treating children with esophageal and airway conditions.

Signs include difficulty swallowing, choking during feeds, chronic cough, noisy breathing, frequent respiratory infections, reflux, or poor weight gain. Early evaluation helps prevent long‑term complications.

Your child may see several specialists in one appointment. We often complete tests (like swallow studies or scopes) the same day to provide faster answers.
Not always. Many children benefit from feeding therapy, airway support treatments, or minimally invasive procedures. If surgery is needed, our pediatric surgeons specialize in advanced airway and esophageal reconstruction.
We follow children from infancy through adolescence, adjusting the care plan as your child grows and their needs change.
Call one of our locations to get started. Early evaluation leads to more effective treatment - schedule today. 
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