Congenital heart disease and arrhythmia disorders in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a 23-year experience at a UK university pediatric surgical centre
Issued Date
2025-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01790358
eISSN
14379813
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85212390303
Pubmed ID
39694918
Journal Title
Pediatric Surgery International
Volume
41
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Pediatric Surgery International Vol.41 No.1 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Lee W.T., Kwok C.S., Losty P.D. Congenital heart disease and arrhythmia disorders in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a 23-year experience at a UK university pediatric surgical centre. Pediatric Surgery International Vol.41 No.1 (2025). doi:10.1007/s00383-024-05927-2 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/102761
Title
Congenital heart disease and arrhythmia disorders in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a 23-year experience at a UK university pediatric surgical centre
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Abstract
Purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) and index newborns reportedly may experience cardiac arrhythmia disorders [Tella et al.—Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 2022]. This study analyses, details and reports contemporary outcome metrics of CHD and cardiac rhythm disease (CRD) in CDH babies attending a university surgical centre. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of all newborns undergoing Bochdalek CDH repair between 1999 and 2021 at a university paediatric surgical centre. CDH newborns with CHD and neonatal arrythmias were identified from echocardiogram and electrocardiogram (ECG) investigative studies. Operative native diaphragm and / or use of patch repair(s) was documented. Outcome(s) measured—(i) mortality and (ii) cardiopulmonary interventions including ventilatory strategies—ECMO (%), inotropes and anti-arrhythmic therapy(s). Results: Of 173 CDH neonates, 95 (55%) had CHD of which 9 babies (10%) had cardiac arrhythmias. CDH and co-existing CHD was linked with (a) lower infant birth weights (3130 g vs 3357 g, p = 0.05), (b) increased use of inotrope agents (48.4% vs 39.3%, p = 0.03) and (c) greater use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (38.9% vs 23%, p = 0.004). CDH babies experiencing arrythmias were at higher risk (%) of developing pulmonary hypertension (66.7% vs 28.7%, p = 0.01). No significant differences were observed in ECMO utilisation (12% vs 6%, p = 0.46) or patch repair(s) (53% vs 46%, p = 0.06) in CDH patients with and without CHD. CHD was not associated with increased risk(s) of mortality (OR 2.58, 95% CI 0.81–8.24, p = 0.11). Of 9 index CDH patients with arrhythmias—4 babies (44%) required interventional treatments. Conclusion: CHD was prevalent in a high percentage (%) of CDH newborns treated at this university centre and associated with increased use (%) of cardiovascular respiratory support including patch repair. A minority of patients (2.3%) had cardiac rhythm disorders requiring treatment(s). In those developing arrhythmias pulmonary hypertension may be a risk-linked event. Optimising outcomes to offset pulmonary hypertension requires further appraisal. Future large-scale population studies may help underscore the ‘real apparent incidence’ of cardiac rhythm disorders in CDH.