Major abdominal wall defects in the low- and middle-income setting: current status and priorities

Predictors of outcomes in infants with gastroschisis treated with a preformed silo

PURPOSE

To describe the outcomes of infants with gastroschisis treated with a preformed silo (PFS) and determine whether routinely measured early physiological parameters, sepsis (blood culture positive), gastroschisis complexity or location of birth influenced the length of stay (LOS) and duration of parenteral nutrition (PN).

METHODS

Infants cared for in a tertiary surgical neonatal intensive care unit during a 10-year period were identified.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven infants were assessed [median gestational age 36 + 6 (IQR 35 + 3 to 38 + 0)] weeks. All survived; 82% were inborn. The median LOS was 37 (IQR 28-76.5) days and duration of PN was 28 (IQR 21-53) days. In the first 72 h, the worst median lactate, base excess and 'toe-core' gap were 4.2 (IQR 3.0-5.8) mmol/l, -7.0 (IQR - 5.55 to - 9.35), 3.4 (IQR 3.0-4.2) °C respectively. There were no significant correlations between early physiological parameters or place of birth and LOS or PN days, but sepsis (n = 18 infants) and complex gastroschisis (n = 13 infants) were associated with an increased LOS and PN duration (both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival was 100% in infants with gastroschisis who were managed with PFS, sepsis and gastroschisis complexity were associated with a longer hospital stay and duration of parenteral nutrition. Level of Evidence (I-V): IV.

Omphalocele and Cardiac Abnormalities-The Importance of the Association

Omphalocele is the most common ventral abdominal wall defect. Omphalocele is associated with other significant anomalies in up to 80% of cases, among which the cardiac ones are the most frequent. The aim of our paper is to highlight, through a review of the literature, the importance and frequency of association between the two malformations and what impact this association has on the management and evolution of patients with these pathologies. We reviewed the titles, the available abstracts, and the full texts of 244 papers from the last 23 years, from three medical databases, to extract data for our review. Due to the frequent association of the two malformations and the unfavorable effect of the major cardiac anomaly on the prognosis of the newborn, the electrocardiogram and echocardiography must be included in the first postnatal investigations. The timing of surgery for abdominal wall defect closure is mostly dictated by the cardiac defect severity, and usually the cardiac defect takes priority. After the cardiac defect is medically stabilized or surgically repaired, the omphalocele reduction and closure of the abdominal defect are performed in a more controlled setting, with improved outcomes. Compared to omphalocele patients without cardiac defects, children with this association are more likely to experience prolonged hospitalizations, neurologic, and cognitive impairments. Major cardiac abnormalities such as structural defects that require surgical treatment or result in developmental delay will significantly increase the death rate of patients with omphalocele. In conclusion, the prenatal diagnosis of omphalocele and early detection of other associated structural or chromosomal anomalies are of overwhelming importance, contributing to the establishment of antenatal and postnatal prognosis.

Uncomplicated gastroschisis care in the US and Kenya: Treatment at two tertiary care centers

BACKGROUND

Gastroschisis is a common birth defect with < 5% mortality in high income countries, but mortality in sub Saharan Africa remains high. We sought to compare gastroschisis management strategies and patient outcomes at tertiary pediatric referral centers in the United States and Kenya.

METHODS

This retrospective chart review examined uncomplicated gastroschisis patients treated at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, USA (n = 110), and Shoe4Africa Children's Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya (n = 75), from 2010 to 2018. Analyzed were completed using Chi square, Fisher's exact, and independent samples t tests and medians tests at the 95% significance level.

RESULTS

Survival in the American cohort was double that of the Kenyan cohort (99.1% vs 45.3%, p< 0.001). Sterile bag use for bowel containment was lower in Kenya (81.3% vs 98.1%, p< 0.001), but silo use was comparable at both institutions (p = 0.811). Kenyan patients had earlier median enteral feeding initiation (4vs 10 days, p< 0.001) and accelerated achievement of full enteral feeding (10vs 23 days, p< 0.001), but none received TPN. Despite earlier feeding, Kenyan patients displayed a higher prevalence of wound infections (70.8% vs 17.1%, p< 0.001) and sepsis (43.9% vs 4.8%, p< 0.001). In Kenya, survivors and non survivors displayed no difference in sterile bag use, hemodynamic stability, all cause infection rates, or antibiotic free hospital days. Defect closure (p< 0.001) and enteral feeding initiation (p< 0.001) were most predictive of survival.

CONCLUSION

Improving immediate response strategies for gastroschisis in Kenya could improve survival and decrease infection rates. Care strategies in the US can center on earlier enteral feeding initiation to reduce time to full feeding.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Simplified preformed silo bag crafted from standard equipment in African Hospitals

Silo bags are synthetic, flexible silicone bags used to cover and protect the bowel of neonates born with gastroschisis. They are transparent, which enables clinicians to visualise bowel colour and allows for gentle reduction until closure. Silo bags are expensive, and different sizes are needed depending on the gastroschisis size. Currently, tertiary hospitals in low-income countries experience great difficulty in purchasing these bags. Therefore, in this article, we present a method for creating a preformed silo bag by utilising readily available disposable equipment in secondary or tertiary hospitals. The disposable equipment required includes a 200- or 500-ml saline or blood bag, 16- or 18-Fr silicone/latex Foley catheter, Opsite® and 2-0 silk suture. The saline bag is cut and opened transversely. The Foley catheter is cut corresponding to the diameter of the saline bag opening, and both ends of the catheter piece are connected to each other to create a 'circle', which is used as the base for the opening. The edge of the saline bag is turned inside out around the catheter and then securely closed with a continuous suture, which fixes the folded part of the bag to the catheter. These silo bags are cheap and easily and quickly prepared at any centre in Africa and very similar to manufactured silo bags, which are comparatively costly and difficult to procure in limited-resource environments.

Investigating the use of ultrasonography for the antenatal diagnosis of structural congenital anomalies in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of under-5 mortality globally. The greatest burden is faced by those in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), where over 95% of deaths occur. Many of these deaths may be preventable through antenatal diagnosis and early intervention. This systematic literature review investigates the use of antenatal ultrasound to diagnose congenital anomalies and improve the health outcomes of infants in LMICs.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using three search strings: (1) structural congenital anomalies; (2) LMICs; and (3) antenatal diagnosis. The search was conducted on the following databases: Medline, Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Title, abstract and full-text screening was undertaken in duplicate by two reviewers independently. Consensus among the wider authorship was sought for discrepancies. The primary analysis focused on the availability and effectiveness of antenatal ultrasound for diagnosing structural congenital anomalies. Secondary outcomes included neonatal morbidity and mortality, termination rates, referral rates for further antenatal care and training level of the ultrasonographer. Relevant policy data were sought.

RESULTS

The search produced 4062 articles; 97 were included in the review. The median percentage of women receiving an antenatal ultrasound examination was 50.0% in African studies and 90.7% in Asian studies (range 6.8%-98.8%). Median detection rates were: 16.7% Africa, 34.3% South America, 34.7% Asia and 47.3% Europe (range 0%-100%). The training level of the ultrasound provider may affect detection rates. Four articles compared morbidity and mortality outcomes, with inconclusive results. Significant variations in termination rates were found (0%-98.3%). No articles addressed referral rates.

CONCLUSION

Antenatal detection of congenital anomalies remains highly variable across LMICs and is particularly low in sub-Saharan Africa. Further research is required to investigate the role of antenatal diagnosis for improving survival from congenital anomalies in LMICs.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019105620.