Clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes of fetal omphalocele / 대한산부인과학회지

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.