Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, etiology and management, a 10-year analysis of a single center

Fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion for moderate and severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) is considered to increase survival among fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Data from high-quality trials had been lacking until the largest randomized controlled trials (the TOTAL trials) were completed. This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of FETO for increasing the survival of fetuses with moderate or severe CDH.

METHODS

Relevant studies published before August 1st, 2021 were identified by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting patients who underwent FETO versus patients who received standard perinatal care were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was survival in the FETO and control groups. The secondary aim was to evaluate complications during pregnancy, such as premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm delivery, and neonatal complications, including the need for supplemental oxygen at birth and discharge and pulmonary hypertension in the FETO and control groups. The Mantel-Haenszel random effects model was applied, and risk ratios (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Four RCTs were eligible for inclusion. The quality of these studies was high. The pooled estimate of survival for fetuses with moderate or severe CDH was higher in the FETO group than in the control group [odds ratio (OR), 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12-10.48; P = 0.03] with relatively strong evidence of between-study heterogeneity (I² = 66%). Subgroup analysis revealed that in the severe CDH group, the pooled estimates of neonatal survival were significantly higher in the FETO group than in the control group (OR, 6.57; 95% CI, 1.39-31.06; P = 0.02). However, in the moderate CDH group, the pooled results of neonatal survival were only slightly higher in the FETO group than in the control group (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.93-2.91; P = 0.08) and the difference was not significant. The risks of PROM and preterm delivery were both higher in the FETO group. No significant difference was found for the need for supplemental oxygen at birth and discharge or in pulmonary hypertension between the FETO group and matched controls. A limitation is that we were unable to calculate the effect of the second intervention on prematurity, which would have been meaningful for evaluating the risk of FETO for PROM or preterm delivery.

CONCLUSION

FETO increases the survival rate in fetuses with moderate and severe CDH, especially in fetuses with severe CDH. However, FETO is associated with a higher risk of PROM and preterm delivery, and the optimal time of FETO should be carefully chosen.

Underlying genetic etiologies of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is often detectable prenatally. Advances in genetic testing have made it possible to obtain a molecular diagnosis in many fetuses with CDH. Here, we review the aneuploidies, copy number variants (CNVs), and single genes that have been clearly associated with CDH. We suggest that array-based CNV analysis, with or without a chromosome analysis, is the optimal test for identifying chromosomal abnormalities and CNVs in fetuses with CDH. To identify causative sequence variants, whole exome sequencing (WES) is the most comprehensive strategy currently available. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) with CNV analysis has the potential to become the most efficient and effective means of identifying an underlying diagnosis but is not yet routinely available for prenatal diagnosis. We describe how to overcome and address the diagnostic and clinical uncertainty that may remain after genetic testing, and review how a molecular diagnosis may impact recurrence risk estimations, mortality rates, and the availability and outcomes of fetal therapy. We conclude that after the prenatal detection of CDH, patients should be counseled about the possible genetic causes of the CDH, and the genetic testing modalities available to them, in accordance with generally accepted guidelines for pretest counseling in the prenatal setting.

Sonographic pulmonary response after tracheal occlusion in fetuses with severe isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia

PURPOSE

To report the longitudinal lung growth and prognosis of fetuses with severe left sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treated with fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) in a single institution.

METHODS

Fetal lung size (observed-to-expected lung area to head circumference [o/e-LHR]) was measured in seven consecutive fetuses with isolated severe left-sided CDH who underwent FETO. Fetal lung growth was used to prognosticate survival and need for ECMO.

RESULTS

Seven consecutive fetuses had a FETO procedure in the timeframe of this study. A total of 44 longitudinal ultrasound were performed to evaluate lung development. FETO was performed at GA 28.5 ± 0.5 weeks. Five (71.4%) infants survived to one-year follow-up and ECMO was needed in three patients (42.8%). Fetal lung response was observed in all fetuses; mean o/e-LHR increased from 22.5% ± 1.4 before FETO to 44.4% ± 9.8 before delivery. Infants who survived had a higher percentage of fetal lung growth (21.8%) than those who died (8.25%).

CONCLUSION

Our study supports the hypothesis that FETO promotes fetal lung growth in fetuses with severe left-sided CDH, and the fetal pulmonary response seems to be associated with improved outcomes after the procedure.

Epidemiology and One-Year Follow-Up of Neonates with CDH-Data from Health Insurance Claims in Germany

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a major congenital malformation with high mortality. Outcome data on larger unselected patient groups in Germany are unavailable as there is no registry for CDH. Therefore, routine data from the largest German health insurance fund were analyzed for the years 2009–2013. Main outcome measures were incidence, survival and length of hospital stay. Follow-up was 12 months. 285 patients were included. The incidence of CDH was 2.73 per 10,000 live births. Overall mortality was 30.2%. A total of 72.1% of the fatalities occurred before surgery. Highest mortality (64%) was noted in patients who were admitted to specialized care later as the first day of life. Patients receiving surgical repair had a better prognosis (mortality: 10.8%). A total of 67 patients (23.5%) were treated with ECMO with a mortality of 41.8%. The median cumulative hospital stay among one-year survivors was 40 days and differed between ECMO- and non-ECMO-treated patients (91 vs. 32.5 days, p < 0.001). This is the largest German cohort study of CDH patients with a one-year follow-up. The ECMO subgroup showed a higher mortality. Another important finding is that delayed treatment in specialized care increases mortality. Prospective clinical registries are needed to elucidate the treatment outcomes in detail.

Congenital heart disease associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A systematic review on incidence, prenatal diagnosis, management, and outcome

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of congenital heart disease (CHD) on infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

METHODS

Using a defined search strategy (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science MeSH headings), we searched studies reporting the incidence, management, and outcome of CDH infants born with associated CHD.

RESULTS

Of 6410 abstracts, 117 met criteria. Overall, out of 28,974 babies with CDH, 4427 (15%) had CHD, of which 42% were critical. CDH repair was performed in a lower proportion of infants with CHD (72%) than in those without (85%; p < 0.0001). Compared to CDH babies without CHD, those born with a cardiac lesion were more likely to have a patch repair (45% vs. 30%; p < 0.01) and less likely to undergo minimally invasive surgery (5% vs. 17%; p < 0.0001). CDH babies with CHD had a lower survival rate than those without CHD (52 vs. 73%; p < 0.001). Survival was even lower (32%) in babies with critical CHD.

CONCLUSION

CHD has a strong impact on the management and outcome of infants with CDH. The combination of CDH and CHD results in lower survival than those without CHD or an isolated cardiac defect. Further studies are needed to address some specific aspects of the management of this fragile CDH cohort.

TYPE OF STUDY

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias: from genes to mechanisms to therapies

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs) and structural anomalies of the diaphragm are a common class of congenital birth defects that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to associated pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. In ∼30% of CDH patients, genomic analyses have identified a range of genetic defects, including chromosomal anomalies, copy number variants and sequence variants. The affected genes identified in CDH patients include transcription factors, such as GATA4, ZFPM2, NR2F2 and WT1, and signaling pathway components, including members of the retinoic acid pathway. Mutations in these genes affect diaphragm development and can have pleiotropic effects on pulmonary and cardiac development. New therapies, including fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion and prenatal transplacental fetal treatments, aim to normalize lung development and pulmonary vascular tone to prevent and treat lung hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension, respectively. Studies of the association between particular genetic mutations and clinical outcomes should allow us to better understand the origin of this birth defect and to improve our ability to predict and identify patients most likely to benefit from specialized treatment strategies.

Genetic causes of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a moderately prevalent birth defect that, despite advances in neonatal care, is still a significant cause of infant death, and surviving patients have significant morbidity. The goal of ongoing research to elucidate the genetic causes of CDH is to develop better treatment and ultimately prevention. CDH is a complex developmental defect that is etiologically heterogeneous. This review summarizes the recurrent genetic causes of CDH including aneuploidies, chromosome copy number variants, and single gene mutations. It also discusses strategies for genetic evaluation and genetic counseling in an era of rapidly evolving technologies in clinical genetic diagnostics.

A simplified formula using early blood gas analysis can predict survival outcomes and the requirements for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The aims of this study were to investigate whether early arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) could define the severity of disease in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We conducted a retrospective study over a 21-yr period of infants diagnosed with CDH. Outcomes were defined as death before discharge, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation requirements (ECMO) or death. A total 114 infants were included in this study. We investigated whether simplified prediction formula [PO2-PCO2] values at 0, 4, 8, and 12 hr after birth were associated with mortality, and ECMO or death. The area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimum ABGA values for predicting outcomes. The value of [PO2-PCO2] at birth was the best predictor of mortality (AUC 0.803, P < 0.001) and at 4 hr after birth was the most reliable predictor of ECMO or death (AUC 0.777, P < 0.001). The value of [PO2-PCO2] from ABGA early period after birth can reliably predict outcomes in infants with CDH.

Innovations in the surgical management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Surgical management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains a challenge for all clinicians. While the treatment strategies for CDH have evolved from emergent surgical intervention to initial hemodynamic stabilization with delayed surgical repair, surgical innovations have remained limited in the last 20 years. Advances in surgical approaches, such as minimally invasive surgery and alternatives to diaphragmatic replacement, have focused on improvements in surgical morbidity.

A randomized controlled trial of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion versus postnatal management of severe isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia

OBJECTIVE

Severe pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary arterial hypertension are associated with reduced survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We aimed to determine whether fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) improves survival in cases of severe isolated CDH.

METHODS

Between May 2008 and July 2010, patients whose fetuses had severe isolated CDH (lung-to-head ratio < 1.0, liver herniation into the thoracic cavity and no other detectable anomalies) were assigned randomly to FETO or to no fetal intervention (controls). FETO was performed under maternal epidural anesthesia supplemented with fetal intramuscular anesthesia. Tracheal balloon placement was achieved with ultrasound guidance and fetoscopy between 26 and 30 weeks of gestation. All cases that underwent FETO were delivered by the EXIT procedure. Postnatal therapy was the same for both treated fetuses and controls. The primary outcome was survival to 6 months of age. Other maternal and neonatal outcomes were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were enrolled randomly to FETO and 21 patients to standard postnatal management. The mean gestational age at randomization was similar in both groups (P = 0.83). Delivery occurred at 35.6 ± 2.4 weeks in the FETO group and at 37.4 ± 1.9 weeks in the controls (P < 0.01). In the intention-to-treat analysis, 10/20 (50.0%) infants in the FETO group survived, while 1/21 (4.8%) controls survived (relative risk (RR), 10.5 (95% CI, 1.5-74.7), P < 0.01). In the received-treatment analysis, 10/19 (52.6%) infants in the FETO group and 1/19 (5.3%) controls survived (RR, 10.0 (95% CI, 1.4-70.6) P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

FETO improves neonatal survival in cases with isolated severe CDH.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: outcome review of 2,173 surgical repairs in US infants

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains one of the most challenging conditions to treat within the pediatric surgical and medical communities. In spite of modern treatment modalities, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and improved ventilatory support, mortality remains high. The present study analyzes a US database containing information from nearly 93 million discharges in the US. Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia who underwent surgical repair were identified by ICD-9 procedure code and inclusion criteria including an age at admission of less than 1 year. Variables of gender, race, age, geographic region, co-existing diagnoses and procedures, hospital type, hospital charges adjusted to 2006 dollars, length of stay, and inpatient mortality were collected. A total of 89% of patients were either treated initially or rapidly transferred to urban teaching hospitals for definitive treatment of CDH. The inpatient mortality rate was 10.4% with a median length of stay of 20 days (interquartile range of 9-40 days). The median inflation-adjusted total hospital charge was $116,210. Respiratory distress was the most common co-existing condition (68.8%) followed by esophageal reflux (27.8%). The most common concomitant procedures performed were ECMO (17.8%) and fundoplication (17.6%). This study, which represents the largest characterization of US infants who have undergone CDH repair using data from a nationally representative non-voluntary database, demonstrates that surgical repair is associated with significant mortality and morbidity.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: an overview of the etiology and current management

AIM

To review provide an overview of the etiology and current strategies in the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

METHODS

We did a comprehensive review of research trends, evidence based studies and epidemiologic studies.

RESULTS

CDH is a life-threatening pathology in infants, and a major cause of death due to the pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. There is much research related to elucidating the etiology of CDH and developing management strategies to improve the outcomes in these infants.

CONCLUSION

An early diagnosis with increased understanding of this disease is a crucial factor for a timely approach to managing the critically ill infant, and to offer the potential for improved outcomes and substantial reductions in morbidity.