TOFS - Tracheo Oesophageal Fistula Support

St George's Centre
91 Victoria Road
Netherfield
Nottingham
NG4 2NN

Tel: 0115 961 3092
Fax: 0115 961 3097
Web: www.tofs.org.uk
Best time to telephone: 9am - 3pm, Monday - Friday (answerphone at other times)

Tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) and oesophageal atresia (OA) are conditions which affect around 1 in 3,000 births. Babies with TOF or OA are unable to feed properly. Once diagnosed, prompt surgery is required to allow the baby to take in food. Many TOF children have few problems after surgery, however a number develop feeding difficulties and chest problems. Some TOF babies are also born with other abnormalities, most commonly those described in VACTERL association - a group of anomalies which often occur together, including heart, kidney and limb deformities.

TOFS is a charity involved in the following activities.

• To provide information and support to families of TOF, OA and VACTERL children as well as to medical professionals.
• A range of leaflets is offered on these conditions and a quarterly newsletter, CHEW. A book, The TOF Child, is also available.
• New parents who wish it are put in contact with each other.
• The TOFS Conference is organised every other year for both parents and medical professionals. It includes a programme of talks and seminars.
• TOFS is committed to funding research to determine the cause of these conditions, as well as studies of the various treatments for TOF and its complications.
• The TOFS website has extensive information about the group and its activities; alternatively, please contact the TOFS office at the address above.

Checked: September 2006