Neonatal sacrococcygeal teratoma: Our 20-year experience from a tertiary care centre in North India

Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions have improved the survival of neonates with sacrococcygeal teratoma in richer countries. These changes have not yet taken place in resource-limited settings. A retrospective analysis of neonates with sacrococcygeal teratoma operated at our centre during 1997-2016 was performed. Among 44 neonates enrolled, prenatal diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma was available in 25% of pregnancies. All babies except one were born vaginally. Associated congenital malformations were seen in 20% (9/44). Types of sacrococcygeal teratoma were classified as Altman type I in 12 (27.3%), 24 (54.5%) as type II, 6 (13.6%) as type III and 2 (4.5%) as type IV. Morphologically, 77% (34/44) neonates had cystic lesions. All patients were managed successfully by total excision. Histopathology confirmed mature teratoma in 43 (97.7%). After a 12-month follow-up, no recurrence was observed. An uneventful pregnancy, absence of associated congenital anomalies, cystic morphology and a mature histology are good prognostic factors.