Clinical profile and outcome of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A 16-year experience from a developing country

Abstract

Recent advances in the perinatal interventions for neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have remarkably improved the outcome in developed countries, but high mortality for such cases continues to be a challenge in resource-poor settings. This study examines clinical profiles and short-term outcome of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, using a retrospective analysis of medical records of neonates operated for congenital diaphragmatic hernia at a tertiary care center in North India from January 2001 to December 2016. Forty-two neonates were operated during the study period with male:female ratio = 1.6:1. Postoperative survival rate was 69% (29/42). Average birth weight in the survivors was 2528±267 g as compared with 2132±309 g in the non-survivors. The average gestational age in the two groups was 37.2±0.8 weeks and 34.8±1.8 weeks respectively. Twenty-one patients presented in the initial 48 h of life, out of them 52% (11/21) survived. Congenital heart diseases were associated with seven and malrotation of the gut in five neonates. The most significant factors resulting in the unfavorable outcome were preterm gestation, low birth weight, hypothermia and shock at presentation, the onset of symptoms <48 h of life, liver-up, need of postoperative inotropes and mechanical ventilation. In addition to establishing advanced therapeutic modalities, good antenatal screening, better awareness in peripheral health workers about the malformation leading to timely referral, well-equipped inter-hospital and intra-hospital transport facilities and development of level III neonatal intensive care units can improve survival in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in developing countries.