Concomitant malformations and chromosomal abnormalities in prenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Objective To analyze the concomitant malforrnations,chromosomal abnormalities and outcomes in prenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) cases. Methods Cases of fetal CDH,prenatally identified in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2002 to November 2008,were recruited.The concomitant realformations,chromosomal abnormalities and outcomes of fetal CDlH were analyzed.Fisher's exact test was applied. Results During the study period,71 CDH cases were identified including 62(87.3%) left-sided CDH and 9 (12.7%) right-sided ones.Among the 71 CDH fetuses,38(53.5%)were isolated CDH.33 (46.5%)were complicated with other realformations(complex CDH),including 18(54.5 0A) cardiovascular defects,10 (30.3%)central nervous system abnormalities,9(27.2 0A)genitourinary abnormalities and others.Fetal karyotying was performed in 19 out of the 71 CDH fetuses.among which 12 were isolated CDH cases with normal karyotype,and 4 of the rest 7(4/7)complex CDH cases with chromosomal abnormalities showing a significant differenee compared to the isolated CDH (P.0.009).Sixty-five pregnancies were terminated including all complex CDH(n=33)and 32 isolated CDH.The rest 6 isolated CDH fetuses were term delivered and 5 of them survived after repair of diaphragmatic hernia and one died after birth. Conclusions Left-sided CDH are more common than right-sided ones. Approximately half of the CDH cases are complicated with other malformations,especially cardiovascular abnormalities.The risk of chromosomal abnormalities increases in complex CDH and is relatively low in isolated CDH.The influence of surgical procedure on the prognosis of CDH has not yet determined. Key words: Hernia,diaphragmatic; Ultrasonography,prenatal;  Chromosome aberrations