[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.
Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté des Sciences médicales, Université Libanaise, Hadath, Grand Beyrouth, Liban. ChehabGh@cyberia.net.lb
Ghassan
G
Chéhab
Hassan
H
Fakhoury
Zakhia
Z
Saliba
Zeineb
Z
Issa
Yasser
Y
Faour
Dalia
D
Hammoud
Issam
I
El-Rassi
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