Short-term neurodevelopmental outcome of babies operated on for low-risk esophageal atresia: a pilot study

Neurodevelopmental evaluation of children who were operated due to congenital anomaly with the 'Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)' and 'ASQ: Social-Emotional'

BACKGROUND

The purpose of surgeries performed for congenital anomalies in children is to increase the survival rates and provide a developmental comparison to that of their peers.

AIM

The objective of this study was to investigate the development of children following surgery for congenital anomalies and the risk factors affecting their development.

METHODS

Our study included 33 children who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal anomalies in our clinic between 2011 and 2016, and did not have any syndrome, chromosomal abnormality, or additional abnormality. Developmental levels were evaluated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and the ASQ: Social-Emotional (ASQ: SE) scales adapted for the use on Turkish children. Data on patient history were obtained retrospectively from patient files.

RESULTS

The study included 33 patients, including 11 with esophageal atresia, 6 with intestinal atresia, 11 with anorectal malformation, and 5 with Hirschsprung's disease. Developmental delay was found in the ASQ of 72.7% of the patients and the ASQ: SE tool was 27% of the patients. The rate of patients with scores below the threshold from each parameter of ASQ was higher than that of the normal population (p < 0.05). Development delay was detected using the ASQ scale in 100% of those with microcephaly at birth, in 91% of premature infants born between 1500 and 2500 g, and in 83.3% of those with low birth weight to gestational age.

CONCLUSIONS

In children who underwent surgery due to congenital anomalies, an evaluation through developmental tests, a post-surgical follow-up process, and a referral to the relevant disciplines when necessary may increase the success of surgery as well as increase the life quality of the patient.

The International Network on Oesophageal Atresia (INoEA) consensus guidelines on the transition of patients with oesophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula

Oesophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) is a common congenital digestive disease. Patients with EA-TEF face gastrointestinal, surgical, respiratory, otolaryngological, nutritional, psychological and quality of life issues in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Although consensus guidelines exist for the management of gastrointestinal, nutritional, surgical and respiratory problems in childhood, a systematic approach to the care of these patients in adolescence, during transition to adulthood and in adulthood is currently lacking. The Transition Working Group of the International Network on Oesophageal Atresia (INoEA) was charged with the task of developing uniform evidence-based guidelines for the management of complications through the transition from adolescence into adulthood. Forty-two questions addressing the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of gastrointestinal, surgical, respiratory, otolaryngological, nutritional, psychological and quality of life complications that patients with EA-TEF face during adolescence and after the transition to adulthood were formulated. A systematic literature search was performed based on which recommendations were made. All recommendations were discussed and finalized during consensus meetings, and the group members voted on each recommendation. Expert opinion was used when no randomized controlled trials were available to support the recommendation. The list of the 42 statements, all based on expert opinion, was voted on and agreed upon.

The risk of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability but not attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is increased in individuals with esophageal atresia

Knowledge of neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) in patients with esophageal atresia (EA) is scarce. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and risk of ADHD, ASD and ID in individuals with EA. Data were obtained from four longitudinal population-based registries in Sweden and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Patients with EA born in Sweden in 1973-2018 were included together with five controls for each individual with the exposure matched on sex, gestational age at birth, birth year and birth county. Individuals with chromosomal aberrations and syndromes were excluded. In total, 735 individuals with EA and 3675 controls were included. Median age at time of the study was 20 years (3-48). ASD was found in 24 (3.9%), ADHD in 34 (5.5%) and ID in 28 (4.6%) individuals with EA. Patients with EA had a 1.66 times higher risk of ASD (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-2.64) and a 3.62 times higher risk of ID (95% CI, 2.23-5.89) compared with controls. The risk of ADHD was not significantly increased. ADHD medication had been prescribed to 88.2% of patients with EA and ADHD and to 84.5% of controls with ADHD. Individuals with EA have a higher risk of ASD and ID than individuals without the exposure. These results are important when establishing follow-up programs for children with EA to allow timely detection and consequentially an earlier treatment and support especially before school start.

Growth and risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with congenital surgical anomalies: a systematic review

Survival of infants with congenital anomalies requiring surgical correction has increased dramatically, shifting the focus of clinical care and research toward optimising growth and neurodevelopment.To determine the impact of growth on neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with congenital surgical anomalies. Studies that reported association of growth with developmental outcomes in infants with congenital anomalies who had surgery, were eligible for inclusion. The search strategy was prospectively drafted, and relevant studies were identified by electronic searches. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library 2022, issue 1), MEDLINE and EMBASE from their earliest date to February 2022 were searched. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Variability in selection of growth measures, developmental assessment tools and assessment endpoints for neurodevelopment, precluded a meta-analysis. Four studies reported the association between growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with gastroschisis with two noting adverse outcomes in infants who were small for gestational age. Birthweight, reported in four studies, was not associated with adverse developmental outcomes. Postnatal growth, reported in three studies, was associated with adverse outcome. The data linking growth restriction in infants with congenital surgical anomalies and neurodevelopmental outcome is limited. There is limited published research examining the longitudinal effects of intra- and extra-uterine growth parameters on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Growth assessments for children with recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas

PURPOSE

To assess the growth status of children with recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (rTEF), and determine the possible risk factors of growth retardation (GR).

METHODS

The medical records of 83 patients with rTEF who underwent surgical repair were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were retrospectively divided into two groups according to whether they had GR. The clinical variables were compared between the GR and non-GR groups. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the risk factors for GR.

RESULTS

Eighty-three children diagnosed with rTEF were included in this study. After a median follow-up of 31.4 (19.8, 48.7) months, GR occurred in 28 patients (33.7%). Among them, six patients with only weight for age Z score (WAZ) < -2SD, five patients with only height for age Z score (HAZ) < -2SD, and six patients with only BMI for age Z score (BAZ) < -2SD, while seven patients with both WAZ and HAZ < -2SD and four patients with both WAZ, HAZ and BAZ < -2SD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight, anastomotic stricture and dysphagia after rTEF repair were independent risk factors with OR of 0.325 (0.119, 0.891), 4.396 (1.451, 13.324) and 5.341 (1.153, 24.752) for GR, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

GR is a common complication after rTEF repair. Birth weight, anastomotic stricture and dysphagia after rTEF repair are independent risk factors affecting growth.

Impaired motor performance in adolescents with esophageal atresia

AIMS

The study prospectively assessed motor development from infancy to adolescence in patients with esophageal atresia (EA).

METHODS

At one year of age motor performance was evaluated with the Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID-II), and as adolescents reevaluated with Motor Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2). Associations to clinical factors were assessed.

RESULTS

23 EA patients were followed from infancy to adolescence. The median total PDI score in infancy was 102 (56-118) and the corresponding mean z-score was -0.006 (SD 0.995) and not significantly different from the reference values (p = 0.48). The median total MABC-2 score in adolescence was 75 (32-93) and the corresponding mean z-score -0.43 (SD 0.998) which is significantly below normal (p = 0.03). Children with impaired motor function in adolescence underwent significantly more rethoracotomies than those with normal motor performance (p = 0.037); whereas the two groups did not differ with respect to other clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSION

From infancy to adolescence the motor performance in the group of EA patients deteriorated from within normal range to significantly impaired compared to reference values. Interdisciplinary follow-up programs from infancy to adolescence with close monitoring for motor function is necessary to detect motor impairments.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of patients with congenital gastrointestinal malformations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Children with congenital gastrointestinal malformations may be at risk of neurodevelopmental impairment due to challenges to the developing brain, including perioperative haemodynamic changes, exposure to anaesthetics and postoperative inflammatory influences. This study aggregates existing evidence on neurodevelopmental outcome in these patients using meta-analysis.

METHOD

PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched for peer-reviewed articles published until October 2019. Out of the 5316 unique articles that were identified, 47 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Standardised mean differences (Cohen's d) between cognitive, motor and language outcome of patients with congenital gastrointestinal malformations and normative data (39 studies) or the studies' control group (8 studies) were aggregated across studies using random-effects meta-analysis. The value of (clinical) moderators was studied using meta-regression and diagnostic subgroups were compared.

RESULTS

The 47 included studies encompassed 62 cohorts, representing 2312 patients. Children with congenital gastrointestinal malformations had small-sized cognitive impairment (d=-0.435, p<0.001; 95% CI -0.567 to -0.302), medium-sized motor impairment (d=-0.610, p<0.001; 95% CI -0.769 to -0.451) and medium-sized language impairment (d=-0.670, p<0.001; 95% CI -0.914 to -0.425). Patients with short bowel syndrome had worse motor outcome. Neurodevelopmental outcome was related to the number of surgeries and length of total hospital stay, while no relations were observed with gestational age, birth weight, age and sex.

INTERPRETATION

This study shows that children with congenital gastrointestinal malformations exhibit impairments in neurodevelopmental outcome, highlighting the need for routine screening of neurodevelopment during follow-up.

Long-term neurodevelopment in children born with esophageal atresia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Although the survival rate of esophageal atresia (EA) has increased to over 90%, the risk of functional long-term neurodevelopmental deficits is uncertain. Studies on long-term outcomes of children with EA show conflicting results. Therefore, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of children with EA.

METHODS

We performed a structured literature search in Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google scholar on November 8, 2020 with the keywords 'esophageal atresia', 'long-term outcome', 'motor development', 'cognitive development', and 'neurodevelopment'.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 945 studies, of which 15 were included. Five of these published outcomes of multiple tests or tested at multiple ages. Regarding infants, one of six studies found impaired neurodevelopment at 1 year of age. Regarding preschoolers, two of five studies found impaired neurodevelopment; the one study assessing cognitive development found normal cognitive outcome. Both studies on motor function reported impairment. Regarding school-agers, the one study on neurodevelopmental outcome reported impairment. Cognitive impairment was found in two out of four studies, and motor function was impaired in both studies studying motor function.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term neurodevelopment of children born with EA has been assessed with various instruments, with contrasting results. Impairments were mostly found in motor function, but also in cognitive performance. Generally, the long-term outcome of these children is reason for concern. Structured, multidisciplinary long-term follow-up programs for children born with EA would allow to timely detect neurodevelopmental impairments and to intervene, if necessary.

Neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with esophageal atresia: risk factors in the first year of life

Data on neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born with esophageal atresia (EA) are still scarce and controversial. The aims of our study were to evaluate motor and cognitive development during the first year of life, in patients operated on of EA and to investigate potential risk factors for motor and cognitive development both at 6 and 12 months. This is an observational prospective longitudinal study in a selected cohort of type C and D EA infants enrolled in our follow-up program from 2009 to 2017. In order to exclude possible confounding factors, the following exclusion criteria were applied: (i) gestational age ≤ 32 weeks and/or birth weight ≤ 1500 g; (ii) genetic syndrome or chromosomal anomaly known to be associated with neurodevelopmental delay; (iii) neurologic disease; (iv) esophageal gap ≥three vertebral bodies. Patients were evaluated at 6 and 12 months of life (corrected age for infants with a gestational age of 32-37 weeks) with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-3rd Edition. In our selected cohort of EA infants, 82 were evaluated at 6 months and 59 were reevaluated at 12 months. Both Motor and Cognitive average scores were within the norm at both time points. However, we report increased number of infants with motor delay with time: 14% at 6 months and 24% at 12 months. Multiple regression analysis for Motor scores at 6 [F(4,74) = 4.363, P = 0.003] and 12 months [F(6,50) = 2.634, P = 0.027] identified (i) low birth weight, (ii) longer hospital stay and (iii) weight < fifth percentile at 1 year as risk factors. Interestingly, average Cognitive scores also increased with time from 85.2% at 6 months and 96.6% at 12 months. Multiple regression models explaining variance of Cognitive scores at 6 [F(4, 73) = 2.458, P = 0.053] and 12 months [F(6, 49) = 1.232, P = 0.306] were nonsignificant. Our selected cohort of EA patients shows, on the average, Motor and Cognitive scores within the norm both at 6 and 12 months. Nevertheless, the percentage of infants with Motor scores below the average increases regardless gestational age. None of clinical and sociodemographic variables taken into consideration was able to predict cognitive development both at 6 and 12 months whereas risk factors for Motor development change during the first year of life. Healthcare providers should pay particular attention to patients with low birth weight, longer hospital stays and weight under fifth percentile at 1 year. Future studies should include long-term outcomes to reveal possible catch up in motor development and/or possible findings in Cognitive scores.

Oesophageal atresia: The growth gap

Poor growth is an under-recognised yet significant long-term sequelae of oesophageal atresia (OA) repair. Few studies have specifically explored the reasons for growth impairment in this complex cohort. The association between poor growth with younger age and fundoplication appears to have the strongest supportive evidence, highlighting the need for early involvement of a dietitian and speech pathologist, and consideration of optimal medical reflux management prior to referring for anti-reflux surgery. However, it remains difficult to reach conclusions regarding other factors which may negatively influence growth, due to conflicting findings, inconsistent definitions and lack of validated tool utilisation. While swallowing and feeding difficulties are particularly frequent in younger children, their relationship with growth remains unclear. It is possible that these morbidities impact on the diet of children with OA, but detailed analysis of dietary composition and quality, and its relationship with these complications and growth, has not yet been conducted. Another potential area of research in OA is the role of the microbiota in growth and nutrition. While the microbiota has been linked to growth impairment in other paediatric conditions, it is yet to be investigated in OA. Further research is needed to identify the most important contributory factors to poor growth, the role of the intestinal microbiota, and effective interventions to maximise growth and nutritional outcomes in this cohort.

Early neurodevelopmental outcomes of congenital gastrointestinal surgical conditions: a single-centre retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Evidence is emerging that surgery in the neonatal period is associated with increased risk of suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes (SNDO). The aim of this study was to describe neurodevelopmental outcomes (at 1 year) of neonatal surgery for congenital gastrointestinal surgical conditions (CGSC) and to explore risk factors.

METHODS

Retrospective study (2005-2014) of infants born ≥34 weeks gestation with CGSC and admitted to the surgical neonatal intensive care unit of Perth Children's Hospital, Western Australia. Clinical details and 1-year developmental outcomes based on Griffiths Mental Developmental Assessment Scales were collated from the database and by reviewing the medical records of study infants. SNDO was defined as one or more of the following: a general quotient less than 88 (ie, >1 SD below mean), cerebral palsy, blindness or sensorineural deafness. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to explore risk factors for SNDO. A total of 413 infants were included, of which 13 died. Median gestation was 37.6 weeks (IQR: 36.4-39.1). Information on developmental outcomes was available from 262 out of 400 survivors. A total of 43/262 (16.4%) had SNDO. On univariable analysis, lower z scores for birth weight, prolonged duration of antibiotics, increased episodes of general anaesthesia and prolonged duration of hospital stay were associated with SNDO. On multivariable analysis, lower z scores for birth weight and prolonged hospital stay were associated with increased risk of SNDO.

CONCLUSIONS

Late preterm and term infants undergoing neonatal surgery for CGSC may be at risk for SNDO. Studies with longer duration of follow-up are needed to further evaluate the role of potentially modifiable risk factors on their neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Clinical predictors and prevalence of receiving special preschool/school support in children with repaired esophageal atresia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In a sparsely investigated field, we aimed to evaluate the use of special preschool/school support among children with repaired esophageal atresia (EA) and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), the predicting clinical factors for this support, and level of school absence.

METHODS

Data on 119 EA/TEF children 2-17years old were collected through medical records and questionnaires (response rate 95%). Logistical regression analysis identified clinical predictors of special preschool/school support in the population without genetic disorders (n=105). Nominal hypothesis testing was performed using Fisher's exact test (p<0.05).

RESULTS

Of the 119 children, 35.3% received special preschool/school support; 26.8% educational support, 21.8% support with nutritional intake issues and 13.4% received both types of support. Educational support was independently predicted by birth weight<2500g (p=0.026) and associated anomalies (p=0.049), nutritional intake support by gastrostomy insertion (p=0.0028), and both types of supports by major revisional surgery (p=0.0081). School absence ≥1month/year, present in 25.5% of the children, was more frequently reported in children receiving preschool/school support, in preschoolers and in those with persistent respiratory problems (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Special preschool/school support is provided for approximately one-third of EA/TEF children. In EA/TEF children without genetic disorders, use of this support is predicted by congenital and surgical factors, and related to frequent school absence.

Inflammatory response and long-term behavioral assessment after neonatal CO2-pneumothorax: study in a rodent model

BACKGROUND

Carbon-dioxide (CO₂)-pneumothorax during minimally invasive surgery induces well-known metabolic changes. However, little is known about its impact on the central nervous system. The aim of this work is to evaluate the acute impact of CO₂-pneumothorax over central cytokine response and its long-term effect on animal behavior.

METHODS

This is an experimental study where neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats are submitted to CO₂-pneumothorax. Peripheral and central cytokine response was evaluated 24h after insufflation, and peripheral immune cell phenotyping was evaluated 24h and 4weeks post-insufflation. Progenitor cell survival was evaluated in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and the behavioral analysis was performed in adulthood to test cognition, anxious-like, and depressive-like behavior.

RESULTS

Significantly increased IL-10 levels were observed in the cerebrospinal-fluid (CSF) of animals submitted to CO₂-pneumothorax, while no differences were found in serum. Regarding pro-inflammatory cytokines, no differences were observed in the periphery or centrally. CO₂-pneumothorax event did not alter the survival of newborn cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and no impact on long-term behavior was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal animals submitted to CO₂-pneumothorax present acutely increased CSF IL-10 levels. The CO₂-pneumothorax seems to result in no significant outcome over neurodevelopment as no functional behavioral alterations were observed in adulthood.

Oesophageal atresia: Are "long gap" patients at greater anesthetic risk?

BACKGROUND

Long gap oesophageal atresia occurs in approximately 10% of all oesophageal atresia infants and surgical repair is often difficult with significant postoperative complications. Our aim was to describe the perioperative course, morbidity, and early results following repair of long gap oesophageal atresia and to identify factors which may be associated with complications.

METHODS

This is a single center retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with oesophageal atresia undergoing surgical repair at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne from January 2006 to June 2017.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-nine consecutive oesophageal atresia infants included 44 long gap oesophageal atresia infants and 195 non-long gap infants. A high rate of prematurity (24.7%), major cardiac (17%), and other surgically relevant malformations (12.6%) was found in both groups. The median age at oesophageal anastomosis surgery was 65.5 days for the long gap group vs 1 day for the oesophageal atresia group (mean difference 56.8 days, 95% CI 48.1-65.5 days, P < .01). Surgery for long gap oesophageal atresia included immediate primary anastomosis (n = 10), delayed primary anastomosis (n = 11), oesophageal lengthening techniques (n = 12) and primary oesophageal replacement (n = 6). Long gap oesophageal atresia was not associated with an increased incidence of difficult intubation (OR 2.8, 95% CI 0.6-22.1, P = .17), intraoperative hypoxemia (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.6-4.5, P = .32), or hypotension (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5-1.8, P = .81). The surgical duration (177.7 vs 202.1 minute, mean difference [95% CI], 28 [5.5-50.4 minutes], P = .04) and mean duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation (107 vs 199.8 hours, mean difference [95% CI], 91.8 [34.5-149.1 hours], P < .01) were shorter for the non-long gap group. Overall in-hospital mortality was 7.5% (15.9% long gap vs 5.6% non-long gap oesophageal atresia OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.4-3.4, P = .85).

CONCLUSION

Long gap oesophageal atresia infants have a similar incidence of perioperative complications to other infants with oesophageal atresia. Current surgical approaches to long gap repair, however, are associated with longer anesthetic exposures and require multiple procedures in infancy to achieve oesophageal continuity.

Prediction of three year outcomes using the Bayley-III for surgical, cardiac and healthy Australian infants at one year of age

BACKGROUND

Previous predictive research has predominantly focussed on infants who are preterm, low birth weight, who have a specific condition or who have undergone a specific procedure.

AIM

This study investigated the ability of outcomes at one year of age to predict outcomes at three years using the Bayley-III for infants who have undergone early major cardiac surgery (CS) or non-cardiac (NC) surgery and their healthy peers.

STUDY DESIGN

Participants who were part of the Development After Infant Surgery (DAISy) study who had complete Bayley-III assessments at one and three years of age were included in the analyses. This included 103 infants who had undergone CS, 158 who had NC surgery and 160 controls.

RESULTS

Bayley-III outcomes at one, although statistically significantly associated with three year outcomes in all domains were weak predictors of those outcomes for CS, NC surgical and healthy infants. Specificity for three year outcomes was good for cognitive, receptive language and fine motor domains for infants who had undergone CS and NC surgery. Sensitivity for <-1 SD at three years was poor for cognitive, expressive and receptive language, and fine motor outcomes for CS and NC surgical participants.

CONCLUSION

It remains difficult to predict how performance at one year on the Bayley-IIII predicts performance at three on the Bayley-III for infants who have undergone early major CS or NC surgery and for healthy Australian infants.

Evaluation of developmental prognosis for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

PURPOSE

This study investigated risk factors for developmental disorders after the repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF).

METHODS

The clinical charts of all infants with EA/TEF (gross type C) treated at our institution between 1993 and 2013 were analyzed. Patients with chromosomal aberrations were excluded. Forty-seven patients were divided into groups according to the presence (D) or absence (N) of developmental disorders. Patients were assessed with appropriate developmental examinations at age >3 years.

RESULTS

Group D comprised 13 patients. The 34 patients in the group N had received a standard education. In groups D and N, gestational age was 36.5 versus 38.5 weeks, birth weight was 1808 versus 2662 g, and congenital cardiac anomalies occurred in 76.9 versus 23.5%. These differences reached significance. Operative data did not differ significantly. Overall complications occurred in 69.2 versus 29.4%, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) requiring fundoplication in 46.1 versus 8.8%, and oral ingestion difficulty in 61.5 versus 14.7%, which were significantly different. The frequencies of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, and recurrent fistula did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

Gestation, birth weight, and cardiac anomalies could be risk factors for developmental disorders. Moreover, overall complications, GER, and oral ingestion may affect development.

Mother's Lived Experience During Repair of Long-Gap Esophageal Atresia: A Phenomenological Inquiry

BACKGROUND

Infants born with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) pose unique physiologic risks in the newborn period. Anatomic and physiologic anomalies require an extended hospitalization with procedural analgesia and sedation that impact the mother's experience of birth, maternal response, and nurturing of her infant.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to understand the meaning of experiences that mothers of infants born with LGEA encounter in the neonatal intensive care unit while their infant undergoes esophageal repair.

METHODS

A hermeneutical phenomenological design was used to guide this inquiry. Three mothers were interviewed on 3 separate occasions. The conversations were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The findings were analyzed using fundamental existential lifeworld themes.

RESULTS

The essence that conceptualized the study was "making connections: day-by-day." Themes that emerged are (a) the many phases; (b) the long and winding road; (c) a new me, my purpose; and (d) our new community.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nurses' knowledge and understanding of maternal experiences of having an infant with LGEA will enable for increased physical closeness, optimizing time spent together to learn their infant's unique personality. Creating partnerships with mothers can enhance our understanding of their perspectives, concerns, needs, and guide interventions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Further exploration of family dynamics including fathers, siblings, and contextual factors may illuminate interventions to enhance relationships and communication that may influence developmental outcomes for families of infants with LGEA.

Brain Oxygenation During Thoracoscopic Repair of Long Gap Esophageal Atresia

BACKGROUND

Elongation and repair of long gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) can be performed thoracoscopically, even directly after birth. The effect of thoracoscopic CO₂-insufflation on cerebral oxygenation (rScO₂) during the consecutive thoracoscopic procedures in repair of LGEA was evaluated.

METHODS

Prospective case series of five infants, with in total 16 repetitive thoracoscopic procedures. A CO₂-pneumothorax was installed with a pressure of maximum 5 mmHg and flow of 1 L/min. Parameters influencing rScO₂ were monitored. For analysis 10 time periods of 10' during surgery and in the perioperative period were selected.

RESULTS

Median gestational age was 35+3 [range 33+4 to 39+6] weeks; postnatal age at time of first procedure 4 [2-53] days and time of insufflation 127[22-425] min. Median rScO₂ varied between 55 and 90%. Transient outliers in cerebral oxygenation were observed in three patients. In Patient 2 oxygenation values below 55% occurred during a low MABP and Hb < 6 mmol/L. The rScO₂ increased after erythrocytes transfusion. Patient 5 also showed a rScO₂ of 50% with a Hb <6 mmol/L during all procedures, except for a substantial increase during a high paCO₂ of 60 mmHg. Patient 4 had a rScO₂ > 85% during the first procedure with a concomitant high FiO₂ > 45%. All parameters recovered during the surgical course.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective case series of NIRS during consecutive thoracoscopic repair of LGEA showed that cerebral oxygenation remained stable. Transient outliers in rScO₂ occurred during changes in hemodynamic or respiratory parameters and normalized after interventions of the anesthesiologist. This study underlines the importance of perioperative neuromonitoring and the close collaboration between pediatric surgeon, anesthesiologist and neonatologist.

Developmental problems in patients with oesophageal atresia: a longitudinal follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

To longitudinally evaluate motor development and predictive factors in school-age children with oesophageal atresia.

DESIGN

Cohort study with prospective longitudinal follow-up.

SETTING

Outpatient clinic of a tertiary university paediatric hospital.

PATIENTS

Children with oesophageal atresia born between January 1999 and May 2006 were assessed at 5 and 8 years of age.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME

Motor performance was evaluated at 5 and 8 years using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). Additionally, we evaluated perinatal characteristics, duration of anaesthesia within the first 24 months, socioeconomic status, sports participation and school performance at time of follow-up and intelligence and sustained attention at the age of 8 years.

RESULTS

In 5-year-olds (n=54), the mean (SD) z-score M-ABC was slightly, but significantly lower than age-predicted normative values (-0.75 (0.83), p<0.001). In 8-year-olds (n=49), the z-score M-ABC was -0.53 (0.91) (p<0.001), intelligence was normal, but sustained attention was impaired: z-score speed (-1.50 (1.73)) and raw score attentional fluctuation (3.99 (1.90)) (both p<0.001). Motor problems mainly concerned gross motor performance. Duration of anaesthesia and sustained attention were negatively associated with motor development; sports participation was positively associated.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer duration of anaesthesia and sustained attention problems were associated with gross motor problems in school-age patients with oesophageal atresia. Parental awareness of risks for motor problems may provide the opportunity to offer timely intervention.

Outcomes of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula repair

Oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula are congenital anomalies of the oesophagus requiring surgical repair in infancy, either by open or thoracoscopic approach. Although mortality rates associated with this procedure are low, children may go on to have complications throughout childhood and into adulthood, most commonly related to ongoing gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. This review outlines the early, mid and long-term outcomes for these children in terms of quality of life and incidence of symptoms.

Developmental outcomes at three years of age of infants with esophageal atresia

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Previous work assessing early developmental outcomes of infants at one year of age following surgery for esophageal atresia (OA) and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) found a significantly lower score in expressive language compared with control infants. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these differences were still evident at three years of age.

METHODS

Between August 2006 and July 2008, infants who required surgical correction of OA/TOF were prospectively enrolled as part of a large study which examined developmental outcomes following surgery. Patients were reassessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Version III. Cognition, expressive and receptive language, fine motor and gross motor skills scores were compared with both the standardized norms and also with contemporaneous control infants.

RESULTS

24 of the 31 infants (77%) assessed at one year were reassessed at three years of age. There was no significant difference between the Bayley scores of the infants with OA/TOF and the standardized norms of the tests in four of the subsets: cognition, expressive language, fine and gross motor skills. Infants with OA scored higher than normative values for the receptive language subscale (P=0.001). When compared with the controls, there were no significant differences in any of the subscales.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the outcomes at one year, infants with OA/TOF have improved and were scoring within the normal range for the assessment at three years. This may in part be because of the early intervention services which many of these children were provided.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Neonatal Surgery for Major Noncardiac Anomalies

CONTEXT

Increasing concerns have been raised about the incidence of neurodevelopmental delay in children with noncardiac congenital anomalies (NCCA) requiring neonatal surgery.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the incidence and potential risk factors for developmental delay after neonatal surgery for major NCCA.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library was performed through March 2015.

STUDY SELECTION

Original research articles on standardized cognitive or motor skills tests.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data on neurodevelopmental outcome, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and risk factors for delay were extracted.

RESULTS

In total, 23 eligible studies were included, reporting on 895 children. Meta-analysis was performed with data of 511 children, assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 and 24 months of age. Delay in cognitive development was reported in a median of 23% (3%-56%). Meta-analysis showed a cognitive score of 0.5 SD below the population average (Mental Development Index 92 ± 13, mean ± SD; P < .001). Motor development was delayed in 25% (0%-77%). Meta-analysis showed a motor score of 0.6 SD below average (Psychomotor Development Index 91 ± 14; P < .001). Several of these studies report risk factors for psychomotor delay, including low birth weight, a higher number of congenital anomalies, duration of hospital admission, and repeated surgery.

LIMITATIONS

All data were retrieved from studies with small sample sizes and various congenital anomalies using different neurodevelopmental assessment tools.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive and motor developmental delay was found in 23% of patients with NCCA. Meta-analysis showed that the mean neurodevelopmental outcome scores were 0.5 SD below the normative score of the healthy population.