VATER Association

VATER ASSOCIATION WAS FIRST described in 1973 as a nonrandom group of related defects, as follows: V = vertebral defects, A = anal atresia, TE = tracheoesophageal fistula, R = radial limb dysplasia.¹ Since that time, various expansions of the acronym have been suggested in an effort to further define the scope of the VATER association. Temtamy and Miller expanded the V in VATER to include vascular anomalies, specifically, ventricular septal defect and single umbilical artery.² An expansion of the acronym to VACTERL has been suggested, with the C denoting cardiovascular anomalies and the L denoting limb anomalies.³ The designation of VATER or VACTERL association can be made for infants with at least three of the defects designated in the acronym.⁴