Objective To study the prognosis after early diagnosis and treatment of infants with congenital esophageal atresia (CEA). Methods The treatment in 25 cases with CEA during the 1991～1998 period and the follow up data of 9 infants who survived were retrospectively analyzed. Results Pneumonia occurred in 89.47% of the infants with CEA which was diagnosed 2 days after birth. Anastomotic leaks after surgical operation occurred in 80%(4/5) of the cases in which the distance from the distal to the proximal esophageal pouches was 1.5～3.5 cm. The main causes of death were exacerbated pneumonia and complications secondary to anastomotic leaks after surgical operation. Conclusions Early diagnosis, improved intensive care, management and prevention of postoperative complication at the right moment are the key of successively operation on infants with CEA.