Can perinatal outcomes of fetal omphalocele be improved at a tertiary center in South China?

Abstract

Objective

To assess the efficacy of positive feedback closed-loop management system (PFCMS) protocol in influencing parents’ decision about pregnancy continuation in pregnancies diagnosed with omphalocele.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who were diagnosed with fetal omphalocele prior to 20 weeks’ gestation by ultrasound and were referred to Fetal Care Center at a mainland Chinese medical center during an 11-year period. Two management strategies were offered during the two stages of the study period: a single consultant with a routine protocol and a multidisciplinary support team with PFCMS, respectively. We analyzed the two protocols influencing parents’ decision about pregnancy continuation.

Results

Forty-nine patients diagnosed with fetal omphalocele were included in this study. In Group A including 16 patients with routine protocol during the first stage of the study period, the majority opted for termination, and only five continued the pregnancy. In Group B including 33 patients with PFCMS during the second stage of the study period, less than one third chose TOP, and 23 ended in live births. There was a significantly lower TOP rate in patients treated with the PFCMS protocol.

Conclusion

The PFCMS protocol may be an efficient approach in managing pregnancies complicated by omphalocele, which may help in preventing unnecessary pregnancy terminations.

Keywords:

• Fetal omphalocele
• multidisciplinary consultation
• prenatal diagnosis
• ultrasound

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.