Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2009 Sep;52(9):903-910.

Clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes of fetal omphalocele

• Hyun MK
• Park SK
• Lim SH
• Cha KH
• Ju DH
• Na SH
• Shim JY
• Won HS
• Lee PR
• Kim A

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes of fetuses with omphalocele.
METHODS
The study enrolled all fetuses diagnosed prenatally with omphalocele at a single institution, from August 1996 to April 2008. Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the maternal and neonatal medical records.
RESULTS
The study population consisted of 54 cases with prenatally diagnosed omphalocele. In all, 15 fetuses were live-born, 29 were terminated, four died in utero, and six were lost to follow-up. Associated anomalies were found in 72.9% (35/48). Abnormal karyotype was found in 33.3% (16/48). In the live births, associated major anomalies were present in 46.7% (7/15) and were associated with increased neonatal morbidity. The rate of severe neonatal morbidity was 53.3% (8/15). In one case, death followed prolonged hospitalization with complications related to associated anomalies. The neonatal mortality rate was 6.7% (1/15) with no postoperative deaths.
CONCLUSION
In this study, the neonatal mortality rates were low in the absence of associated anomalies or genetic defects. The results emphasize the importance of identifying both those fetuses with a potentially positive prognosis and favorable outcome and those which are likely to have a fatal outcome.

Keyword

Omphalocele; Prenatal diagnosis; Associated anomalies; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Abnormal Karyotype
Fatal Outcome
Fetus
Hernia, Umbilical
Hospitalization
Humans
Infant
Infant Mortality
Live Birth
Lost to Follow-Up
Medical Records
Prenatal Diagnosis
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies