Outcome of vein of Galen malformation presenting in the neonatal period

Abstract

ObjectiveVein of Galenaneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare but important congenital malformation presenting to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and with a change from surgical to endovascular management, survival for this condition has improved. However, there is little reported about the medical management decisions of infants with this condition and the associated long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. We aim to report a single centre experience of both acute treatment and long-term outcomes of VGAM for those infants admitted to our NICU soon after birth.DesignRetrospective cohort study over a 15-year period from 2001 to 2015 inclusive.SettingA quaternary NICU at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.Participants24 newborn infants referred for management of VGAM. There were no eligibility criteria set for this study; all presenting infants were included.InterventionsNone.Main outcomes measuresClinical neuroimaging data were gathered. Surviving children were formally assessed with a battery of tests administered by a neuropsychologist and occupational therapist/physiotherapist at various ages across early to middle childhood.ResultsFifteen neonates with VGAM did not survive beyond their NICU admission. 10 of these were not offered endovascular intervention. Of the nine surviving infants, only one had a normal neurodevelopmental outcome.ConclusionsThe mortality of VGAM presenting in the neonatal period was high, and rates of normal neurodevelopmental outcome for survivors were low. These findings contribute to our understanding of which neonates should be treated and highlights the importance of providing clinical neurodevelopmental follow-up to survivors beyond their infant years.

Endovascular Treatment of Vein of Galen Malformation in Kenya, East Africa

“…Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare condition with a reported incidence of 1 in 25,000 births (2,6). There is paucity of data on treatment of VGAM in sub-Saharan Africa (6).…”

“…Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare condition with a reported incidence of 1 in 25,000 births (2,6). There is paucity of data on treatment of VGAM in sub-Saharan Africa (6). VGAM typically presents in early childhood and infancy and carries a high morbidity and mortality rate reported to be up to 100% if left untreated and 37% with treatment (6, 7).…”

Pulmonary hydatidosis in children: a different pattern from adults?

“…This can be explained by the higher patency of the hepatic filter (first filter) in children, thus permitting the parasite to reach the lungs (second filter) (5). There are certain unique characteristics of the pediatric hydatid cyst (6). We aimed to review the particularities of the clinical presentations, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and postoperative outcomes of pulmonary hydatid cysts in children.…”

Clinical characteristics of hospitalized term and preterm infants with community-acquired viral pneumonia

“…Pneumonia is one of the most common infectious diseases in the neonatal period and accounts for 46% of all neonatal diseases [ 1 ]. Moreover, the mortality rate of pneumonia is 1.2%, which ranks highest among all neonatal infectious diseases; thus, pneumonia is a serious problem that threatens the health of newborns [ 2 ].…”