A multicentre study to predict neonatal survival according to lung-to-head ratio and liver herniation in fetuses with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): Hidden mortality from the Latin American CDH Study Group Registry

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate natural history of fetuses congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) prenatally diagnosed in countries where termination of pregnancy is not legally allowed and to predict neonatal survival according to lung area and liver herniation.

METHODS

Prospective study including antenatally diagnosed CDH cases managed expectantly during pregnancy in six tertiary Latin American centres. The contribution of the observed/expected lung-to-head ratio (O/E-LHR) and liver herniation in predicting neonatal survival was assessed.

RESULTS

From the total population of 380 CDH cases, 144 isolated fetuses were selected showing an overall survival rate of 31.9% (46/144). Survivors showed significantly higher O/E-LHR (56.5% vs 34.9%; P < .001), lower proportion of liver herniation (34.8% vs 80.6%, P < .001), and higher gestational age at birth (37.8 vs 36.2 weeks, P < 0.01) than nonsurvivors. Fetuses with an O/E-LHR less than 35% showed a 3.4% of survival; those with an O/E-LHR between 35% and 45% showed 28% of survival with liver up and 50% with liver down; those with an O/E-LHR greater than 45% showed 50% of survival rate with liver up and 76.9% with liver down.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal mortality in CDH is higher in Latin American countries. The category of lung hypoplasia should be classified according to the survival rates in our Latin American CDH registry.

[Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy]

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the pancreatic tissue, which have been proposed numerous causes, with unpredictable results, it appears as a complication of rare occurrence, so the information on maternal and fetal complications is limited. Objective: Exposing obstetric and perinatal outcomes of patients diagnosed with pancreatitis complicating pregnancy.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective, observational, transverse and descriptive study; data were obtained and analyzed by reviewing medical records of patients diagnosed with pancreatitis and pregnancy.

RESULTS

A total of 9 cases were included, corresponding to an incidence of 39/100,000 live births in the time period analyzed. The median age was 22, the mean gestational age at diagnosis was 31 weeks. 4 patients had cesarean delivery and 2 patients natural delivery. 3 patients had Ranson 3, a 2 and other Ranson Ranson 1 the remaining 4 Ranson 0. All products had adequate evolution. A case of maternal death as a complication of the disease was presented, because of metabolic acidosis and ARDS.

CONCLUSION

Acute pancreatitis is an entity of variable incidence, which increases their appearance with advancing pregnancy, and can lead to serious complications for pregnant women. It is extremely important to pay attention to early symptoms of the disease, and achieve an accurate diagnosis and provide adequate multidisciplinary management for a better prognosis for maternal-fetal binomial.