Congenital condition ( at birth ) of block of nasal passage causing breathing difficulty.
Can be unilateral ( only one passage ) or bilateral ( block of both nasal passage) The block can be completely bony ( 30%) or composed of bone and membranes (70%)
Presentation will be cyclic respiratory distress, noisy breathing, feeding difficulty, unable to pass naso-gastric tube through nose, frequent nasal discharge.
To diagnose such condition endoscopic examination and imaging like CT scans are necessary.
Trearment of choanal atresia is surgical correction. Bilateral block ( both nasal passages) needs emergency correction. Unilateral block will need eventual surgical correction while child grows older enough to repair Procedure of surgical correction is usually endoscopic repair with no visible cuts / scars.