[Congenital heart disease associated with gastrointestinal malformations].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association of congenital heart disease and malformations of the gastrointestinal tract/abdominal wall.


METHODS
Over seven years, 105 neonates presenting with congenital gastrointestinal/abdominal wall anomalies were explored for associated congenital heart disease. Sex, consanguinity, type of cardiac anomaly, type of gastrointestinal/abdominal wall anomaly, and chromosomal anomalies were all analyzed in order to find predisposing factors for this association.


RESULTS
Both anomalies were found in 38% of the patients, predominantly in males. Esophageal atresia and esotracheal fistulas were the most frequent anomalies (36%), followed by anal atresia (30.5%). The most common associated cardiac anomaly was the ventricular septal defect (37.5%). Chromosomal anomalies were correlated to the presence of congenital malformations, mainly atrioventricular septal defects (86%, p < 0.05) and intestinal atresia (54.4%, p < 0.05). First-cousin consanguinity was found in 13.3% of the children with gastrointestinal/abdominal wall anomalies. This percentage rises to 25% with the association of a cardiac anomaly and to 50% with VACTERL syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract/abdominal wall are associated with congenital heart disease in 38% of the cases. Consanguinity is a risk factor for the association of both these anomalies and for VACTERL syndrome. In case of gastrointestinal/abdominal wall anomalies, an associated cardiac anomaly must be actively sought, even if the clinical exam seems normal.
Chéhab
Ghassan
G
Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté des Sciences médicales, Université Libanaise, Hadath, Grand Beyrouth, Liban. ChehabGh@cyberia.net.lb
Fakhoury
Hassan
H
Saliba
Zakhia
Z
Issa
Zeineb
Z
Faour
Yasser
Y
Hammoud
Dalia
D
El-Rassi
Issam
I
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000002:abnormalities*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors