Assessment of pulmonary artery size at birth as a prognostic factor in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: results of a multicenter study in Japan.

Abstract

To assess the reliability of pulmonary artery (PA) parameters as a prognostic marker in neonates with isolated left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (IL-CDH). A retrospective cohort study conducted by the Japanese CDH Study Group (JCDHSG). 323 IL-CDH patients registered with the JCDHSG were included. 272 patients survived to 90 days of age. Right PA (RPA) and left PA (LPA) diameters and pulmonary artery index (PAIndex) at birth were significantly larger in survivors. The cutoff values of RPA and LPA diameters and PAIndex for survival up to 90 days were 3.2 mm, 2.8 mm and 83.7, respectively, and logistic regression analysis showed that these were significantly related to survival. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both the PA parameters and liver herniation were significantly related to survival. The three PA parameters at birth can predict clinical outcomes and are considered as independent risk factors of liver herniation.