Fetal Diagn Ther
. 2026 Feb 28:1-20.
doi: 10.1159/000550767. Online ahead of print. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41762672/
Early Childhood Outcomes in Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Treated with Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion (FETO) versus Non-FETO at a Single Center
Sierra Land, Sabrina Flohr, Leny Mathew, Annaliese Aarthun, Anne M Ades, Beverly G Coleman, Juliana S Gebb, Lisa Herkert, Casey Hoffman, Julie S Moldenhauer, Edward R Oliver, Howard B Panitch, Emily Anne Partridge, William H Peranteau, Thomas A Reynolds, Natalie E Rintoul, K Taylor Wild, Holly L Hedrick
- PMID: 41762672
- DOI: 10.1159/000550767
Abstract
Introduction: Fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) has demonstrated neonatal survival and pulmonary hypertension benefits in patients with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This study describes early childhood outcomes of patients treated with FETO compared to a contemporary cohort of non-FETO patients.
Methods: A single center, retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated severe left CDH at a single center from September 2016 through January 2023. Severe CDH was defined as liver herniation with an ultrasound observed/expected lung to head ratio < 30%. Outcomes were assessed by specialists within a multidisplinary follow up clinic and are reported as descriptive statistics.
Results: Twelve patients underwent FETO and 35 did not (non-FETO). Ninety-one percent of FETO and 75% of non-FETO patients survived to 24 months of age. Amongst surviving patients, 100% of FETO and 72% of non-FETO patients had a 24 month clinic follow up assessment. At that time, 45% of FETO patients and 33% of non-FETO patients were feeding exclusively by mouth. Nine percent of FETO, and 22% of non-FETO patients required respiratory support. No FETO patients required pulmonary hypertension (PH) medications while 22% of non-FETO patients required PH medications. Eighty-three percent and 57% of surviving FETO and non-FETO patients, respectively, had at least one neurodevelopment assessment during the 6,12, or 24 month time points. Despite higher frequency of prematurity amongst FETO patients, similar neurodevelopmental scores were observed in both groups.
Conclusions: FETO patients received pulmonary hypertension medications less frequently and had similar outcomes in feeding, respiratory management, and neurodevelopment as non-FETO patients.
S. Karger AG, Basel.
