Long term outcomes in CDH: Cardiopulmonary outcomes and health related quality of life

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children After Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion for Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Results From a Multidisciplinary Clinic

BACKGROUND

We compared early neurodevelopmental morbidity in young children with severe CDH who underwent FETO to those without fetal therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study of severe CDH patients undergoing FETO (n = 18) at a single North American center from 2015 to 2021 (NCT02710968). Outpatient survivors (n = 12) were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team and compared to expectantly managed CDH patients. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the Capute Scales [Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scales (CLAMS) and Cognitive Adaptive Test (CAT)], with a developmental quotient (DQ) < 85 indicative of at-risk for delay.

RESULTS

At one year, 58% (n = 7) of FETO patients underwent evaluation, with notable concern for language delay (CLAMS median DQ, 80.1 [interquartile range, 67.6-86.7]). FETO scores improved by 24-months, whereas high severity/non-FETO scores declined [CLAMS median DQ (Difference in DQ), 92.3 (+12.2) vs. 77.1 (-13.4), respectively; p = 0.049]. On the initial CAT, FETO patients had concern for visual motor and problem-solving delays, with a median DQ of 81.3 (62.1-89.4). At 24-months, FETO patients had improving scores [Median CAT DQ, 90.8 (+9.5)], whereas high severity/non-FETO [87.5 (-3.0), p = 0.28] had declining scores.

CONCLUSION

These initial data suggest that FETO is associated with favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24-months compared to severe CDH under expectant management.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Functional lung imaging of 2-year-old children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair using dynamic mode decomposition MRI

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the feasibility of non-contrast-enhanced functional lung imaging in 2-year-old children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair.

METHODS

Fifteen patients after CDH repair were examined using non-contrast-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For imaging two protocols were used during free-breathing: Protocol A with high temporal resolution and Protocol B with high spatial resolution. The dynamic images were then analysed through a recently developed post-processing method called dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) to obtain ventilation and perfusion maps. The ventilation ratios (VRatio) and perfusion ratios (QRatio) of ipsilateral to contralateral lung were compared to evaluate functional differences. Lastly, DMD MRI-based perfusion results were compared with perfusion parameters obtained using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI to assess agreement between methods.

RESULTS

Both imaging protocols successfully generated pulmonary ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) maps in all patients. Overall, the VRatio and QRatio values were 0.84 ± 0.19 and 0.70 ± 0.24 for Protocol A, and 0.88 ± 0.18 and 0.72 ± 0.23 for Protocol B, indicating reduced ventilation ( p < 0.05 ) and perfusion ( p < 0.01 ) on the ipsilateral side. Moreover, there is a very strong positive correlation ( r > 0.89 , p < 0.01 ) and close agreement between DMD MRI-based perfusion values and DCE MRI-based perfusion parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

DMD MRI can obtain pulmonary functional information in 2-year-old CDH patients. The results obtained with DMD MRI correlate with DCE MRI, without the need for ionising radiation or exposure to contrast agents. While further studies with larger cohorts are warranted, DMD MRI is a promising option for functional lung imaging in CDH patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

We demonstrate that pulmonary ventilation and perfusion information can be obtained in 2-year-old patients after CDH repair, without the need for ionising radiation or contrast agents by utilising non-contrast-enhanced MRI acquisitions together with dynamic mode decomposition analysis.

KEY POINTS

• Non-contrast-enhanced functional MR imaging is a promising option for functional lung imaging in 2-year-old children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia. • DMD MRI can generate pulmonary ventilation and perfusion maps from free-breathing dynamic acquisitions without the need for ionising radiation or contrast agents. • Lung perfusion parameters obtained with DMD MRI correlate with perfusion parameters obtained using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Major surgical conditions of childhood and their lifelong implications: comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, the survival of children with congenital anomalies and paediatric cancer has improved dramatically such that there has been a steady shift towards understanding their lifelong health outcomes. Paediatric surgeons will actively manage such conditions in childhood and adolescence, however, adult surgeons must later care for these 'grown-ups' in adulthood. This article aims to highlight some of those rare disorders encountered by paediatric surgeons requiring long-term follow-up, their management in childhood and their survivorship impact, in order that the adult specialist may be better equipped with skills and knowledge to manage these patients into adulthood.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify relevant publications. Research studies, review articles and guidelines were sought, focusing on the paediatric management and long-term outcomes of surgical conditions of childhood. The article has been written for adult surgeon readership.

RESULTS

This article describes the aforementioned conditions, their management in childhood and their lifelong implications, including: oesophageal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, malrotation, short bowel syndrome, duodenal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, choledochal malformations, biliary atresia, Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformations, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital lung lesions and paediatric cancer.

CONCLUSION

The increasing survivorship of children affected by surgical conditions will translate into a growing population of adults with lifelong conditions and specialist healthcare needs. The importance of transition from childhood to adulthood is becoming realized. It is hoped that this timely review will enthuse the readership to offer care for such vulnerable patients, and to collaborate with paediatric surgeons in providing successful and seamless transitional care.

Long-term follow-up of patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia encounter a number of surgical and medical morbidities that persist into adulthood. As mortality improves for this population, these survivors warrant specialized follow-up for their unique disease-specific morbidities. Multidisciplinary congenital diaphragmatic hernia clinics are best positioned to address these complex long-term morbidities, provide long-term research outcomes, and help inform standardization of best practices in this cohort of patients. This review outlines long-term morbidities experienced by congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors that can be addressed in a comprehensive follow-up clinic.

Diagnosis, management and long term cardiovascular outcomes of phenotypic profiles in pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect of the diaphragm resulting in herniation of viscera into the chest. This condition is characterized by pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cardiac ventricular dysfunction. PH is a key component of the pathophysiology of CDH in neonates and contributes to morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, PH associated with CDH (CDH-PH) is thought to be secondary to increased pulmonary arterial resistance and vasoreactivity resulting from pulmonary hypoplasia. Additionally, there is increasing recognition of associated left ventricular hypoplasia, dysfunction and elevated end diastolic pressure resulting in pulmonary venous hypertension in infants with CDH. Thus, hemodynamic management of these infants is complex and cautious use of pulmonary vasodilators such as inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is warranted. We aim to provide an overview of different phenotypic profiles of CDH associated PH and potential management options based on current evidence and pathophysiology.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Vascular Disease

This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia, outlining the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, methods for assessing PH severity, optimal management strategies, and prognostic implications.

Exploration of the factors influencing the quality of life among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: the data from a cross-sectional study in Shandong

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked unprecedented transformations in the lives of adolescents, with reshaping their routines, social dynamics, educational experiences, and overall well-being. Our study delves into the influence of various factors on adolescents' quality of life (QOL) among the COVID-19 pandemic in Shandong Province, China.

METHODS

Employing a cross-sectional research approach combined with multivariable analysis, we scrutinize the association of demographic factors (age, gender, education level, ethnic groups, urban area, and family economic status) and health-related behaviors (sleep duration, and self-reported health status) with QOL in 9953 students.

RESULTS

During the pandemic, the average QOL for adolescents in Shandong Province was 133. Our analysis revealed that sleep duration and age had statistically significant associations with total QOL, with the OR values of 1.43 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 to 1.83) and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.19 to 0.70), respectively. Notably, we observed that adolescents from economically disadvantaged families, or those with poorer self-reported health status, were more likely to report lower QOL scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our study highlights the potential association of sleep duration, age, family economic status, and self-reported health with the QOL of adolescents in Shandong Province during the pandemic. During similar public health crises, policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers can actively work through resource allocation and effective intervention measures towards alleviating financial burdens, improving health conditions, and ultimately enhancing the total QOL for adolescents.

Long term outcome of babies with pulmonary hypertension

Neonatal pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with many severe congenital abnormalities (congenital diaphragmatic hernia) or acquired cardiorespiratory diseases such as pneumonia, meconium aspiration and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). If no cause is found it may be labelled idiopathic persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Although PH may result in life threatening hypoxia and circulatory failure, in the majority of cases, it resolves in the neonatal period following treatment of the underlying cause. However, in some cases, neonatal PH progresses into infancy and childhood where symptoms include failure to thrive and eventually right heart failure or death if left untreated. This chronic condition is termed pulmonary vascular hypertensive disease (PHVD). Although classification and diagnostic criteria have only recently been proposed for pediatric PHVD, little is known about the pathophysiology of chronic neonatal PH, or why pulmonary vascular resistance may remain elevated well beyond infancy. This review explores the many factors involved in chronic PH and what implications this may have on long term outcome when the disease progresses beyond the neonatal period.

The heart in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Knowns, unknowns, and future priorities

There is growing recognition that the heart is a key contributor to the pathophysiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), in conjunction with developmental abnormalities of the lung and pulmonary vasculature. Investigations to date have demonstrated altered fetal cardiac morphology, notably relative hypoplasia of the fetal left heart, as well as early postnatal right and left ventricular dysfunction which appears to be independently associated with adverse outcomes. However, many more unknowns remain, not least an understanding of the genetic and cellular basis for cardiac dysplasia and dysfunction in CDH, the relationship between fetal, postnatal and long-term cardiac function, and the impact on other parts of the body especially the developing brain. Consensus on how to measure and classify cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension in CDH is also required, potentially using both non-invasive imaging and biomarkers. This may allow routine assessment of the relative contribution of cardiac dysfunction to individual patient pathophysiological phenotype and enable better, individualized therapeutic strategies incorporating targeted use of fetal therapies, cardiac pharmacotherapies, and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Collaborative, multi-model approaches are now required to explore these unknowns and fully appreciate the role of the heart in CDH.