Abstract 186

Aim: To report the impact of associated malformations (AM) on survival for gastro-intestinal malformations (GIM) in a population based study during a 14 year period.

Methods: The study included gastro-intestinal atresias, abdominal wall defects and diaphragmatic hernias. Cases were identified in the Eurocat Registry for Congenital Malformations for Funen County. The registry is based on multiple sources of information and includes induced abortions, fetal deaths with GA ≥ 20 weeks and livebirths. Survival data for the first 4 years of life were recorded.

Results: During the study period 111 fetuses and infants were born with GIM. They consisted of 92 livebirths, 13 fetal deaths and 6 induced abortions. AM were present in 40% of the cases, ranging from 0% for small intestinal atresia to 52% for anal atresia. Risk of fetal death was high for anal atresia and omphalocele. Cardiac defects were the most frequent AM. Thirty-four percent of liveborn infants died before 4 years of age and 71% of these infants had AM The majority of infants died during the first week of life. For infants with esophageal atresia, anal atresia and omphalocele mortality was significantly increased if AM was present. There were no deaths among the 39 children with isolated esophageal atresia ± fistula, anal atresia, omphalocele and gastroscisis.

Conclusions: After prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of GIM it is important to look for AM, as the presence of AM has major impact on prognosis. Survival is excellent for infants with isolated GIM except diaphragmatic hernias