Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26655216

J Pediatr Surg. 2015 Nov 10. pii: S0022-3468(15)00715-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2015.10.082. [Epub ahead of print]
Prenatally diagnosed severe CDH: mortality and morbidity remain high.
Coughlin MA1, Werner NL2, Gajarski R3, Gadepalli S2, Hirschl R2, Barks J4, Treadwell MC5, Ladino-Torres M6, Kreutzman J2, Mychaliska GB2.
Author information

Abstract
PURPOSE:
This study sought to evaluate prenatal markers' ability to predict severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH) and assess this subgroup's morbidity and mortality.
METHODS:
A retrospective review was performed between 2006 and 2014. Prenatal criteria for severe CDH included: liver herniation, lung-to-head ratio (LHR) <1 on prenatal ultrasound and/or observed-to-expected LHR (o/eLHR) <25%, and/or observed-to-expected total lung volume (o/eTLV) <25% on fetal MRI. Postnatal characteristics included: mortality, ECMO utilization, patch closure, persistent suprasystemic pulmonary hypertension (PHtn), O2 requirement at discharge, and few ventilator-free days in the first 60. Statistics performed used unpaired t-test, p<0.05 significant.
RESULTS:
Overall, 47.5%(29/61) of patients with prenatally diagnosed, isolated CDH met severe criteria. Mean LHR: 1.04±0.35, o/eLHR: 31±10% and o/eTLV: 20±7%. Distribution was 72% LCDH, 24% R-CDH. Overall survival: 38%. ECMO requirement: 92%. Patch rate: 91%. Mean ventilator-free days in 60: 7.1±14. Supplemental oxygen at discharge was required in 27%. In this prenatally diagnosed severe cohort, 58%(15/26) had persistent PHtn post-ECMO requiring inhaled nitric oxide±epoprostenol. Comparing patients with and without PHtn: mean ECMO duration 18±10 days versus 9±7 days (p=0.01) and survival 20% versus 72% (p=0.006).
CONCLUSION:
A combination of prenatal markers accurately identified severe CDH patients. Outcomes of this group remain poor and persistent PHtn contributes significantly to mortality.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Fetal MRI; Lung to head ratio; Postnatal outcome; Prenatal diagnosis
PMID: 26655216 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]