Gastroschisis during gestation: prognostic factors of neonatal mortality from prenatal care to postsurgery

Management of Gastroschisis: Timing of Delivery, Antibiotic Usage, and Closure Considerations (A Systematic Review From the American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes & Evidence Based Practice Committee)

BACKGROUND

No consensus exists for the initial management of infants with gastroschisis.

METHODS

The American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Outcomes and Evidenced-based Practice Committee (OEBPC) developed three a priori questions about gastroschisis for a qualitative systematic review. We reviewed English-language publications between January 1, 1970, and December 31, 2019. This project describes the findings of a systematic review of the three questions regarding: 1) optimal delivery timing, 2) antibiotic use, and 3) closure considerations.

RESULTS

1339 articles were screened for eligibility; 92 manuscripts were selected and reviewed. The included studies had a Level of Evidence that ranged from 2 to 4 and recommendation Grades B-D. Twenty-eight addressed optimal timing of delivery, 5 pertained to antibiotic use, and 59 discussed closure considerations (Figure 1). Delivery after 37 weeks post-conceptual age is considered optimal. Prophylactic antibiotics covering skin flora are adequate to reduce infection risk until definitive closure. Studies support primary fascial repair, without staged silo reduction, when abdominal domain and hemodynamics permit. A sutureless repair is safe, effective, and does not delay feeding or extend length of stay. Sedation and intubation are not routinely required for a sutureless closure.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the large number of studies addressing the above-mentioned facets of gastroschisis management, the data quality is poor. A wide variation in gastroschisis management was documented, indicating a need for high quality RCTs to provide an evidence-based approach when caring for these infants.

TYPE OF STUDY

Qualitative systematic review of Level 1-4 studies.

miRNA-143 expression is associated with inflammation and time of exposure to amniotic fluid in experimental gastroschisis

OBJECTIVE

Gastroschisis (GS) is a congenital anomaly in the abdominal wall with the intestinal loops exiting laterally to the umbilicus. The contact of the loops with Amniotic Fluid (AF) causes an inflammatory process in the exposed part, leading to an extended hospital stay and an increased risk of morbidity due to alterations related to intestinal motility. The authors aimed to evaluate the time of exposure to the AF in the experimental GS and to search for potential biomarkers of intestinal inflammation by measuring microRNAs.

METHODS

Rat fetuses were divided into three groups: a) CONTROL, b) GS reared on day 18 (GS = 18), and c) GS reared on day 19.5 (GS = 19) (term = 22 days). On day 21.5, the fetuses were removed for biometric parameters and biochemical analyses: 1) Biometrics: Body and Intestinal Weight (BW, IW), and intestinal-body weight ratio (IW/BW); 2) Descriptive histopathology and 3) miR-143 quantification by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

BW was higher in CONTROL than GS 18 and G19 (p < 0.05). IW, IW/BW, intestinal water, and mRNA-143 were higher in GS 18 and GS 19 than in CONTROL, and GS 18 was higher than GS 19 (p < 0.05). The average of the inflammation score from the intestinal wall with mucosal inflammation and intra-epithelial lymphocytes shows worst in GS 18 and GS 19 vs. CONTROL (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The tissue expression of mRNA-143 and the morphological changes in the intestine of GS worsened according to the time of exposure to AF, which could be a possible marker of fetal intestinal damage.

Predicting mortality in neonates with gastroschisis in a Southeastern state of Brazil

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to verify risk factors associated with gastroschisis mortality in three neonatal intensive care units located in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of neonates with gastroschisis was performed between 2000 and 2018. Prenatal, perinatal, and postsurgical variables of survival or nonsurvival groups were compared using chi-square statistical test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression. Tests with p<0.05 were considered statistically determined.

RESULTS

A total of 142 newborns were investigated. Mean maternal age, gestational age, and birth weight were lower in the group of nonsurvival (p<0.05). Poor clinical conditions during admission, complex gastroschisis, closure with silo placement, the use of blood products, surgical complications, and short bowel syndrome were more frequent in the nonsurvival group (p<0.05). Complex gastroschisis [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.74, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.274-11.019] and short bowel syndrome (adjusted OR 7.55, 95%CI 2.177-26.225) increased the risk of death. Higher birth weight inversely reduced the risk for mortality (adjusted OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.997-1.000).

CONCLUSION

Complex gastroschisis and short bowel syndrome increased the risk of death, with greater birth weight being inversely correlated with the risk of mortality. The findings of this research can contribute to the formulation of protocols to improve the quality and safety of care in order to reduce neonatal mortality associated with gastroschisis.

Gastroschisis and late-onset neonatal sepsis in a tertiary referral center in Southeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To analyze late-onset sepsis and to describe the etiological agents in newborns with gastroschisis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort, including newborns with gastroschisis whose admissions occurred in the period between January 2012 to December 2018 in a tertiary referral center. Maternal and newborn characteristics, surgical procedures and evolution in hospitalization were verified. A bivariate analysis was performed with patients with proven late-onset neonatal sepsis and according to the simple or complex gastroschisis category, the prevalent microorganisms in positive cultures were identified, statistical tests were carried out and the significance level adopted was p < 0,05. Results are presented in proportions, averages and standard deviation or medians. The level of significance adopted was p < 0.05.

RESULTS

101 newborns were analyzed, 45 (44.5%) were confirmed late-onset sepsis. The median birth weight was 2285+498 grams, and the gestational age was 35.9 +1.74weeks. The incidence of complex gastroschisis was 17.8%, the hospitalization time was 48.2+29.67 days and mortality was 9.9%. The newborns were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: late-onset sepsis (44.6%), and Group 2: no late-onset sepsis. The presence of complex gastroschisis was a factor associated with infection (p < 0.009). Fasting time (p < 0.001), parenteral nutrition time (p < 0.001), time to achieve full diet (p < 0.001), and hospitalization stay (p < 0.001) were higher in group 2. Gram-positive were the most frequent (51.1%), followed by Gram-negative (20%), and fungi (4.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Newborns with gastroschisis have a higher risk of evolving with late-onset sepsis, despite this study did not calculate the risk of sepsis statistically, and the main germs detected by cultures were gram-positive bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Gastroschisis annual incidence, mortality, and trends in extreme Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze gastroschisis annual incidence, mortality rates, and trends in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul from the year 2000 to the year 2017.

METHOD

Population-based study with the analysis of the temporal trend of gastroschisis annual incidence and mortality rates. Data were obtained from the Live Birth Information System and the Mortality Information System, with the analysis performed by polynomial regression modeling.

RESULTS

There were 2,612,532 live births, 705 hospitalizations, and 233 deaths due to gastroschisis. The annual incidence of gastroschisis was 2.69 per 10,000 live births. The annual incidence rate increased by 85% in the total period (p = 0.003), and mortality was 33% in the 2000-2017 period. Maternal age < 25 years was a risk factor for gastroschisis (p < 0.001). Children were more likely to be born weighing < 2,500 g (p < 0.001) and with a gestational age < 37 weeks (p < 0.001). The annual incidence trend was to increase, and the mortality trend was to decrease.

CONCLUSION

Similar to what has been described in several regions/countries, there was a trend showing an 85% increase in the annual incidence of gastroschisis (p = 0.003) and the mortality was 33% with a trend of decreasing (p = 0.002).

Influence of birthplace on gastroschisis outcomes in a state in the southeastern region of Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the influence of birthplace on outcomes of patients with gastroschisis admitted to three hospitals in a state in Brazil's southeastern region, according to condition inborn (born in a reference center) or outborn (born outside the reference center).

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients with gastroschisis. The sample size utilized was of patients admitted in three hospitals with a diagnosis of gastroschisis ICD 10 Q79.3 between January 2000 to December 2018. Patients were divided into two groups, inborn and outborn. Characteristics of prenatal, perinatal and postoperative were compared using statistical tests. The level of significance adopted was P-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

In total, 144 cases of gastroschisis were investigated. The outborn patients group had higher rates of absence of antenatal diagnosis (p = 0.001), vaginal delivery (p = 0.001), longer time between birth and abdominal wall closure surgery (p = 0.001), to silo removal (p = 0.001), to first enteral feeding (p = 0.008), for weaning from mechanical ventilation (p = 0.034), used less peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and required more venous dissections (p = 0.001), and lower mean of serum sodium (p = 0.015). There were no differences in mortality rates and length of hospital stay between the inborn and outborn groups.

CONCLUSION

Although outborn patients with gastroschisis were less likely to have an antenatal diagnosis and were more prone to a longer time to undergo surgical and feeding procedures, and to spend more time in mechanical ventilation, these disadvantages seemed not to reflect on the death rate and the length of hospital stay of patients from this group.

Gastroschisis: a systematic review of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment

OBJECTIVES

The present systematic review aims to investigate the diagnosis, prognosis, delivery assistance, pregnancy results and postnatal management in gastroschisis.

STUDY DESIGN

The following data sources were evaluated: The CINAHL, Embase and MEDLINE/PubMed databases were searched, observational and intervention studies published over the past 20 years. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE).

RESULTS

A total of 3770 infants diagnosed with gastroschisis were included (44 studies); 1534 fetuses were classified as simple gastroschisis and 288 as complex gastroschisis. Intrauterine fetal demise occurred in 0.47% and elective termination occurred in 0.13%. Preterm delivery occurred in 23.23% and intrauterine growth restriction in 4.43%. Cesarean section delivery was performed in 54.6%. Neonatal survival was 91.29%. The main neonatal complications were: sepsis (11.78%), necrotizing enterocolitis (2.33%), short bowel syndrome (1.37%), bowel obstruction (0.79%), and volvulus (0.23%). Immediate surgical repair was performed in 80.1% with primary closure in 69%. The average to oral feeding was 33 (range: 11-124.5) days. Average hospital duration was 38 days and 89 days in neonates with simple and complex grastroschisis, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present systematic review provides scientific data for counseling families with fetal gastroschisis.

Estimating Length of Stay for Simple Gastroschisis

BACKGROUND

Length of stay (LOS) is an important measure of quality; however, estimating LOS for rare populations such as gastroschisis is problematic. Our objective was to identify explanatory variables for LOS and build a model to estimate LOS in neonates with simple gastroschisis.

METHODS

In 73 neonates with simple gastroschisis (47% female, 67% White), statistical correlations for 31 potential explanatory variables for LOS were evaluated using multivariate linear regression. Poisson regression was used to estimate LOS in predetermined subpopulations, and a life table model was developed to estimate LOS for simple gastroschisis.

RESULTS

Female sex (-2.4 d), "time to silo placement" (0.9 d), total parenteral nutrition days (0.6 d), need for any nasogastric feedings (11.4 d) and at discharge (-7 d), "feeding tolerance" (0.4 d), days to first postoperative stool (-0.3 d), and human milk exposure (-3.4 d) associated with LOS in simple gastroschisis. Estimated LOS for preterm neonates was longer than term infants (5.4 versus 4.6 wk) but similar for estimates based on sex and race. Based on these associations, we estimate that >50% of neonates with simple gastroschisis will be discharged by hospital day 35.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified several associations that explained variations in LOS and developed a novel model to estimate LOS in simple gastroschisis, which may be applied to other rare populations.