87 Infant Malrotation with Midgut Volvulus Presenting in the Paediatric Emergency Department or the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Review for a Quality Improvement Initiative

Abstract

Abstract Background In neonates, bilious vomiting is considered malrotation with midgut volvulus (MV) until proven otherwise, given its associated high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is time-critical, requiring prompt identification to avoid complications. Many of these patients are described as clinically well at time of presentation, possibly delaying definitive management. Objectives This study was a retrospective quality initiative aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation of infants and children with MV in a single paediatric tertiary care centre emergency department (ED) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The study also aimed to identify delays in the management pathway. Design/Methods Patients with a final diagnosis of MV presenting to the ED/NICU were identified between January 2015 and May 2022. Patient demographics, signs and symptoms at presentation, initial laboratory studies, imaging, and surgical findings were recorded. The following time points were recorded: (1) first medical evaluation, (2) radiologic investigations (abdominal X-ray [AXR], ultrasound [US], upper gastrointestinal radiography [UGI]), (3) consultation with surgical team, and (4) time to surgery. Results During the study period, 29 paediatric patients presented a diagnosis of MV (ED: 21, NICU: 8). The median age at presentation was 7 days (3-13.5), with 27/29 (93%) being less than 3 months. From them, 21 patients (72%) were male. Bilious green (17/26) and/or yellow (13/26) vomiting was the most frequent presentation in 26/26 (100%), the three other patients had missing data. Five patients (17%) had a pH < 7.30 (with base deficit < -5) and seven (24%) patients had a glucose value > 7 mmol/L. Abdominal radiograph was performed in 17/29 (59%) patients. All (100%) had ultrasound (US) which was diagnostic in 24/29 (83%) cases. Six upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) were performed, being diagnostic in all cases (100%). The Ladd’s procedure was the standard treatment for every patient (100%). Median time between arrival and US was 151 minutes (71 – 243), UGI was 347 min (246 – 800) and surgery was 299 minutes (204-371). In the NICU specifically, six cases were referrals, with the median time between the first documented bilious vomit and the call from the referral centre being 660 minutes (335-1104). Of the 29 cases, 27 (93%) survived and from them, one suffered a short bowel complication. Conclusion Bilious (green/yellow) vomiting is a reliable clinical sign of MV in infants, being always aware that yellow may be bile. Ultrasound is a rapid test with more than 80% diagnostic accuracy. Delay for definitive surgery was considered slightly high. This quality initiative will help develop a clinical practice guideline and algorithm to reduce delays for infants presenting with MV.