Major sacrococcygeal teratoma in an extreme premature infant: a multidisciplinary approach
S C M den Otter1, A C de Mol, A J Eggink
1Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision Neonatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Large sacrococcygeal teratomas in extremely premature infants typically lead to poor outcomes. This case report shows a positive outcome is possible with intensive multidisciplinary care and surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatology
Background:
- Large sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) diagnosed antenatally in extremely premature infants are associated with high mortality.
- Cardiac decompensation is a significant complication in these cases.
Observation:
- An extreme premature infant diagnosed with a large SCT at 27 weeks and 1 day of gestational age presented with cardiac decompensation.
- The fetus had a large sacrococcygeal teratoma.
Findings:
- A multidisciplinary approach involving intensive planning of delivery, immediate postnatal stabilization, and prompt surgical resection was implemented.
- The infant survived and achieved a positive outcome.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for successful management of large SCTs in extremely premature infants.
- Aggressive, coordinated multidisciplinary care can improve survival rates for neonates with complex congenital anomalies.
Abstract:
Antenatally diagnosed, large sacrococcygeal teratomas in very premature infants are associated with a very poor outcome. We present an extreme premature infant with cardiac decompensation, diagnosed at 27 weeks and 1 day of gestational age. A positive outcome could be achieved with intensive multidisciplinary planning of the delivery, postnatal stabilization and surgical resection, as demonstrated in this case report.
