Congenital AbnormalitiesBy: Nicole Stevens
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia 15 – 25 cases occur each year in Victoria More than 85% of case are now prenatally
detected Survival rate is approximately 50 – 60% If there is a coexistent significant abnormality
this drops to 10% If there is an unexpected birth of a baby with
CDH in a non-tertiary facility, get the most experienced clinicians available
Minimise mask ventilation; intubate if possible/required
Minimise PIP’s (try not exceed 25cm/H2O
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia Saturations of 70 – 80% are adequate provided
sufficient ventilatory support is provided to ensure adequate tidal volume
The associated problems are commonly: Pulmonary hypoplasia, worse on the ipsilateral side Structural and functional lung immaturity A reduction in pulmonary arteriolar cross sectional
area Muscular hyperplasia of remaining pulmonary
arterioles An association with other major anomalies
(chromosomal and non-chromosomal) in up to 20% of cases
Congenital diaphragmatic herniaPre natal care: Refer for tertiary level ultrasound, if diagnosis
confirmed, refer to multidisciplinary fetal diagnostic/management team
Establish what abnormalities are present Conduct a fetal echocardiogram Establish fetal karyotype (with consent) Counsel parents on a description of the
abnormalities, likely diagnoses, management, options and possible outcomes
Referral to paediatric thoracic surgeon Repeat ultrasounds at 24, 30 & 34wks
Congenital diaphragmatic herniaBirthing aim: Aim is to achieve a NVB, following
spontaneous onset of labour at term Women are encouraged to move to
Melbourne at 35 – 36wks gestation if living more than 1 hour away
LUSCS without labour is not recommended unless there is a clear medical indication
Congenital diaphragmatic herniaResuscitation: Individualised depending on condition of
the baby Minimise mask ventilation If intubation is required, be vigilant with
depth of insertion and avoiding being in too far and going down right main bronchus
Use volume guarantee if available Insert a large bore NGT as soon as possible
and keep the stomach deflated Preductal saturation monitoring
Congenital diaphragmatic herniaStabilisation: Achieve acceptable gas exchange Target saturations > 75% PCO2 at a level that allows the pH to be >7.20
whlie minimising the chances of inducing lung injury of air leak
Apply a transcutaneous pCO2 monitor (if available)
Continue to monitor pre ductal saturations Consult with PIPER If available use a synchronised mode of
ventilation
Congenital diaphragmatic herniaOngoing stabilisation: Gain venous access, UV preferable Check BP, determine need for volume Obtain a CXR Obtain an arterial blood gas Establish arterial access, UA or peripheral Sedate and muscle relax if baby is in poor
condition despite attempts at optimising ventilation
Consider surfactant, but some babies with CDH tolerate this poorly
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Congenital diaphragmatic herniaContinuing management: Will need a team of neonatologists, paediatric
surgeons & paediatric intensivists involved Ensure continuous monitoring of transcutaneous
pCO2, tidal and minute volumes Maintain lowest FiO2 that results in preductal
SaO2 > 85%, especially in initial hours of care Assessment of other anomalies (cardiac, renal,
brain, karyotyping) An ongoing metabolic acidosis requiring repeated
large doses of base suggests myocardial ischaemia, sepsis or strangulated bowel
Congenital diaphragmatic herniaPrinciples of management & escalation: Use of muscle relaxants and sedatives SIMV/AC with tidal volume monitoring HFOV +/- nitric oxide if unsatisfactory
gas exchange on conventional, or if there is need for high inspiratory pressures or FiO2
Jet ventilation if there is overt gas trapping or air leak
ECMO - < 10% of babies need this
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia Surgery will be done after ventilatory and
circulatory support weaned to satisfactory levels (eg. FiO2 < 0.4 and MAP < 14)
Transfer to level 2 unit considered after full enteral nutrition established for at least 1 week; and respiratory status indicates significant reserve
Audiology will need to be arranged prior to discharge
Long term follow up will be required
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonates TOF is an abnormal connection between
the trachea and oesophagus OA is where the oesophagus develops in
2 separate parts Causes are unknown Early diagnosis is important to minimise
pulmonary complications Regular suction of oesophageal pouch is
required prior to surgical repair
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonates
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonates The incidence of OA is approximately 1
in 3000 to 4500 births More likely to be premature because of
the association with polyhydramnios In the most common variant of the
disorder (approximately 86% of cases), the upper oesophageal segment ends in a blind pouch with a fistula connecting the distal oesophageal segment to the trachea, at or close to the carina.
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonatesClinical signs: Excessive oral secretions, choking and
vomiting with feeding Abdominal distension (due to air transmitted
through the distal fistula) Aspiration of secretions from the upper pouch
and reflux of acidic gastric contents via the fistula to the lungs may all contribute to respiratory compromise
The infant with the H-type TOF may present insidiously but usually coughs and chokes with feeding.
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonatesAssociations:V vertebral defectsA anal (inperforate anus)C cardiac (VSD most common)T tracheal E ‘esophagus’R renal anomaliesL limb deformities
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonatesAssociations:C colobomaH heart disease (congenital)A atresia (choanal)R retardation (growth and mental)G genital hypoplasiaE ear anomalies
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonatesDiagnosis: May be suggested antentally by polyhydramnios, or failure to
see the fetal stomach At birth attempt to pass a firm suction catheter of feeding tube
(size 10F if possible) Inability to pass into stomach will confirm OA (tubes often halt
at about 9 – 13cm) Soft tubes may curl and come back CXR with tube insitu will assist diagnosis If an OA is confirmed and there is air in the bowel this suggest
the presence of a TOF If a H-TOF is suspected this is usually revealed by a contrast
swallow Need to do a cardiac echo to confirm position of the aortic arch Renal ultrasound should be done if baby is anuric
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonatesAssociations: Chromosomal abnormalities (trisomy 13,
18, 21) DiGeorge syndrome Neurological defects Gastrointestinal defects Pulmonary defects Genitalia defects
Oesophageal atresia & tracheo oesophageal fistula in neonatesManagement: If suspected antenatally baby should be delivered
close to a tertiary surgical neonatal unit Keep NBM, commence on IV fluids Nurse supine with head elevated (30 – 60 degrees) Keep upper pouch clear of secretrions (suction 15
minutely). A replogle tube may be positioned 0.5cm above the end of the oesphageal pouch and placed on continuous low pressure suction
Consider antibiotics (? Aspiration pnuemonia) Transfer to tertiary facility Requires team consisting of: surgeon, respiratory
physician, physio, dietician, speech therapist.
Gastroschisis Diagnosis often, but not always, made by
antenatal ultrasound Babies should be born at a tertiary centre The abdominal defect should be covered
with cling wrap, taking care to prevent kinking or trauma to the bowel
Pay careful attention to thermoregulation and fluid management
If born at a non-tertiary facility, refer early to PIPER and arranged transfer to a surgical facility (RCH or MMC)
Gastroschisis
Gastroschisis
Gastroschisis Small defect in the anterior abdominal wall to the right of
the umbilicus through which the bowel herniates Routine maternal serum screening will show an elevated
alpha-feto protein level Incidence is 1:10,000 – 30,000 births Increased incidence in adolescent mothers More frequent in males There is no covering sac, the surface of the bowel is
usually oedematous and matted due to prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid
Outcome is usually determined by the amount of damage to the bowel inutero
Associated anomalies in 15% of cases Prematurity and growth restriction common NEC and malabsorption may occur Survival rate is about 90%
Exomphalos Protusion of intestinal contents through
the abdominal wall at the umbilicus Occurs in 2.5:10,000 births Contents are covered by a thin
membrane of amnion and peritoneum Herniation of the liver may also happen if
the sac is large There may be associated anomalies (eg.
Trisomies, cardiac defects, GI and renal anomalies)
Survival rates are mainly dependent on whether other anomalies are present
Exomphalos
ExomphalosCan also be associated with: Beckwith-Wiedermann syndrome (macroglossia,
pathognomonic horizontal ear crease and hypoglycaemia)
Management: Wrap abdomen and exposed organs in cling film (use
sterile latex free gloves; cling film doesn’t have to be sterile)
Preferable to nurse on right side Check bowel for signs of impaired blood supply (ie.
Looks purple of black). Try gentle manipulation of the bowel into other positions to see if circulation can be improved
Do not use cotton wool or moist packs (cotton can stick to the bowel and moist packs become cold and increase risk of hypothermia)
Exomphalos Pass size 8 NGT, leave on free drainage and
aspirate every 60mins (record colour and volume)
Make NBM, insert IV, commence on usual day 1 fluid volumes
Monitor blood pressure closely Check BGL asap and monitor closely Monitor temperature frequently Contact PIPER to arrange transfer Collect bloods for FBE, electrolytes, culture,
group and hold for cross match and CRP and commence antibiotics (Penicillin and gentamycin)
References www.health.vic,gov,au/neonatal handbook Avery, G.B., Fletcher, M.A., and MacDonald, M.G. (editors). Neonatology:
Pathophysiology and Management of the Newborn. 5th edition. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. 1999.
Levene, M.I., Tudehope, D.I., and Thearle, M.J. Essentials of Neonatal Medicine. 3rd edition. Blackwell Science. 2000.
Hutson, J.M., Woodward, A.A., Beasley, S.W. (editors). Jones’ Clinical Paediatric Surgery, Diagnosis and management. 5th edition.
1.Morreau, P. (2005). Abdominal wall defects. Newborn service clinical guideline
2.Hutson,J (2008). Jones Clinical Paediatric Surgery diagnosis & management. United States: Blackwell publishing.