2D echocardiogram findings in neonates born with anorectal malformations in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Anorectal malformations (ARM) have an incidence of around 1 in every 5000 live births. They are associated with other anomalies, especially cardiac, which are more prevalent than in the general population. Cardiac anomalies affect the overall outcome of these patients.Objectives: To describe the 2D echocardiogram findings of neonates born with ARM, who were referred to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Sri Lanka (LRH) for paediatric surgical management.Method: A retrospective analysis was done of medical records of neonates with ARM who were referred to LRH between November 2015 and April 2019. Cardiac anomalies were categorized as major and minor according to their severity.Results: There was a total of 60 patients with ARM: 48 with isolated ARM, 10 with ARM and oesophageal atresia (OA), 1 with ARM and duodenal atresia (DA) and 1 with ARM, OA and DA. The male to female ratio was 7:3. Associated congenital heart disease (CHD) was seen in 48 (80%) patients and it was commoner in patients with other associated gastrointestinal (GI) anomalies (92%) compared to patients with isolated ARM (77%). The common cardiac anomalies were combined atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (31.3%), isolated ASD (16.7%) and isolated PDA (16.7%). In those with cardiac defects, 43 (89.6%) had minor defects.