CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES IN INFANTS WITH OMPHALOCELE: A TEN-YEAR REVIEW

Omphalocele, the most common anterior abdominal wall defect, is often associated with other anomalies, of which congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most frequent. CHD are structural heart disease occurring at birth with significant impact on outcomes and survival. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of CHD in infants with omphalocele.

Hospital records of infants managed for omphalocele over a ten-year period from June 2016 to May 2026 were reviewed. A structured proforma was used to extract data.

There were 29 infants with complete data, 7 (24.1%) were males and 22 (75.9%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 1:3.1. Age ranged from 0 to 23 days, with a mean age of 3.77 ± 5.49 days. Five mothers had prenatal diagnosis of omphalocele, and none had prenatal diagnosis of CHD. 25 (86.2%)] infants had major omphalocele while 4 (13.8%) had minor omphalocele. 22 (75.9%) infants had one or more CHD. Ostium secundum atrial septal defect (OSASD) was the most common CHD [17 (77.3 %)] followed by patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) [12 (54.5 %)]. Truncus arteriosus was the least common CHD in the infants.

CHD is common in infants with omphalocele. OSASD was the most common CHD. Complex CHD was rare in these infants. Fetal anomaly scan should be available for all pregnant women to allow for prenatal diagnosis and ensure adequate planning for the management of these lesions. Infants with omphalocele should have an echocardiogram soon after birth.