Outcomes of patients with exomphalos and associated congenital heart diseases

Exomphalos is an anterior abdominal wall defect resulting in herniation of contents into the umbilical cord. Severe associated chromosomal anomalies and congenital heart disease (CHD) are known to influence mortality, but it is not clear which cardiac anomalies have the greatest impact on survival.

We performed a retrospective review of the treatment and outcome of patients with exomphalos over a 30-year period (1990-2020), with a focus on those with the combination of exomphalos major and major CHD (EMCHD).

There were 123 patients with exomphalos identified, 59 (48%) had exomphalos major (ExoMaj) (defect > 5 cm or containing liver), and 64 (52%) exomphalos minor (ExoMin). In the ExoMaj group; 17% had major CHD (10/59), M:F 28:31, 29% premature (< 37 weeks, 17/59) and 14% had low birth-weight (< 2.5 kg, 8/59). In the ExoMin group; 9% had major CHD (6/64), M:F 42:22, 18% premature and 10% had low birth-weight. The 5-year survival was 20% in the EMCHD group versus 90% in the ExoMaj with minor or no CHD [p < 0.0001]. Deaths in the EMCHD had mainly right heart anomalies and all of them required mechanical ventilation (MV) for pulmonary hypoplasia prior to cardiac intervention. In contrast, survivors did not require mechanical ventilation prior to cardiac intervention.

EMCHD is associated with high mortality. The most significant finding was high mortality in those with right heart anomalies in combination with pulmonary hypoplasia, especially if pre-intervention mechanical ventilation is required.