Successful Treatment for Hepatoblastoma in Trisomy 18: A Case Report.

Children with trisomy 18 tend to develop hepatoblastoma. Since the introduction of appropriate management for organ malfunction, individuals with trisomy 18 have come to have a longer life expectancy. However, the predisposition to hepatoblastoma becomes a significant issue for the quality of a case. Here, we present a rare multifocal hepatoblastoma involving predominantly Couinaud segments 5 and 7 in a 10-month-old boy with trisomy 18. Though the first-line cisplatin monotherapy resulted in unsatisfactory tumor shrinkage, the second-line neoadjuvant chemotherapy administrating irinotecan and vincristine gave rise to significant tumor reduction in volume, leading to the completion of partial resection of the liver without the microscopic residual disease. The patient has been free from recurrence for 44 months. Because anatomical right hepatectomy can cause circulatory instability, including acute onset of pulmonary hypertension in trisomy 18 patients, physicians should balance treatment benefits and potential adverse effects. Our successful experience utilizing a combination of efficacious and less cardiotoxic neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by the partial hepatectomy encourages physicians to treat a patient with trisomy 18 and tackle hepatoblastoma with a genetic background.

The common trisomy syndromes, their cardiac implications, and ethical considerations in care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the incidence of congenital heart disease in the trisomies, highlight the history of cardiac surgery in trisomy 21 comparing it to the increase in cardiac surgery in trisomies 13 and 18, discuss ethical issues specific to trisomies 13 and 18, and suggest a pathway of shared decision-making in the management of congenital heart disease in trisomy 13 and 18, specifically congenital heart surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Congenital heart disease is prevalent in the trisomies and the management of these defects, especially surgical intervention, has changed. In the late 20th century, survival after cardiac surgery in trisomy 21 vastly improved, significantly decreasing morbidity and mortality secondary to pulmonary hypertension. Similarly, procedures and surgeries have been performed with increasing frequency in trisomy 13 and 18 patients and concomitantly, survival in this patient population is increasing. Yet across the United States, the willingness to perform cardiac surgery in trisomy 13 and 18 is variable, and there is ethical controversy about the correct action to take. To address this concern, a shared decision-making approach with an informed parent(s) is advised. SUMMARY: As the care and management of congenital heart disease changed in trisomy 21, so too it has with trisomy 13 and 18. Physicians and parents should develop goal-directed treatment plans balancing the risk versus benefit and consider cardiac surgical repair if feasible and beneficial.

Management of Children with the Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13 Syndromes: Is there a Shift in the Paradigm of Care?

OBJECTIVE: The conventional view toward the management of infants with the trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 syndromes has been to recommend pure comfort care and the avoidance of technological interventions. This commentary aims to address the recently raised question about whether there has been a shift in the paradigm of the management of infants with the two conditions. STUDY DESIGN: The study design includes narrative review of the literature. RESULTS: A body of opinion pieces and evidence has emerged indicating that there has been a recent increase in the administration of interventions, including ventilatory support and surgery, in the management of children with these syndromes. CONCLUSION: Based on the evidence in the literature, the author concludes that there has been a type of paradigm shift described by philosopher of science, Thomas Kuhn, in the treatment of infants with trisomy 18 and 13. More parents are being offered and choosing technological interventions, including cardiac surgery. Future investigation of the question whether intervention improves outcome, including the quality of life, is crucial in addressing the unanswered questions in this dialogue. KEY POINTS: · The conventional approach to the treatment of trisomy 18 and 13 has been to avoid interventions.. · There is a growing body of evidence that this traditional view of management is changing.. · Future investigation of whether intervention improves outcome is crucial in addressing the unanswered questions..

Outcomes After Extracorporeal Life Support Cannulation in Pediatric Patients With Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18.

BACKGROUND: Indications for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) have evolved and expanded, yet its use in trisomy 13 (T13) and trisomy 18 (T18) patients remains controversial. We reviewed the experience of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization with ECLS in these patients to inform practice at our institution. METHODS: The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry was queried for all patients younger than 18 y with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition/Tenth Edition code for T13 or T18 from 2000 to 2018. Basic demographics, ECLS details, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were identified (15 with T13; 13 with T18), representing 0.06% (28 of 46,901) of pediatric ECLS cannulations. The median weight was 3.5 kg (range, 1.4-13), and age at cannulation was 52 d (range, 0 d-6.8 y). Time on ECLS ranged from 13 to 478 h (median, 114). Cardiac defects were diagnosed in 19 (68%) patients, of which 13 (46%) underwent surgical repair. Median oxygenation index pre-ECLS was 45. Venoarterial cannulations accounted for 82% of patients, whereas 14% underwent venovenous cannulation. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 46% with 86% of patients experiencing one or more complications. There were no survivors when cannulation continued past 12 d. CONCLUSIONS: Although complications are frequent, the mortality rate in patients with T13 and T18 remains within the reported range for the general pediatric population. T13 and T18 alone should not be viewed as absolute contraindications to ECLS within the pediatric population but rather considered during the evaluation of a patient's potential candidacy.

Prolonged survival in Edwards syndrome with congenital heart disease: a case report and literature review. / Síndrome de Edwards con cardiopatía congénita de larga supervivencia: reporte de caso y revisión de literatura.

Edwards syndrome or trisomy 18 is a complex entity that involves the musculoskeletal, craniofacial, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. Its genetics are varied, presenting both in a complete and mosaic type. Survival rarely exceeds the first year of life. Its phenotype characterization is not pathognomonic, so karyotype is essential for diagnosis, prenatally by amniocentesis and cordocentesis by FISH technique. We present the case of an eight-year-old girl who has survived with this condition despite presenting tetralogy of Fallot and serious cardiac malformations. Diagnosis began with prenatal screening ultrasound at 16 weeks and detailed ultrasound, with amniocentesis and amniotic fluid karyotype, with a result of 47 XX+18. She has been treated by multiple medical specialties, due to musculoskeletal, joint, neurological, metabolic, and cardiovascular complications that have limited her quality of life. The management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary medical team, and counseling for parents should include aspects related to survival, frequent complications, and risk-benefit to be evaluated before subjecting the minor to complex or corrective surgical interventions.

El síndrome de Edwards o trisomía 18 es una entidad compleja, con afectaciones en los sistemas musculoesquelético, craneofacial, cardiovascular y neurológico. Su genética es variada, presentándose tanto de manera completa como en mosaicismo. Es infrecuente que la supervivencia supere el primer año de vida. Su caracterización fenotípica no es patognomónica, por lo cual el cariotipo es fundamental para el diagnóstico prenatal por medio de amniocentesis y cordocentesis mediante técnica de hibridación fluorescente in situ. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de ocho años que ha sobrevivido con esta condición, a pesar de presentar tetralogía de Fallot acompañada de malformaciones cardíacas graves. El diagnóstico comenzó por ecografía de tamizaje prenatal a las 16 semanas y ecografía de detalle, con amniocentesis y cariotipo de líquido amniótico, con resultado 47 XX+18. Ha sido tratada por múltiples especialidades médicas, debido a complicaciones osteomusculares, articulares, neurológicas, metabólicas y cardiovasculares que han limitado su calidad de vida. El manejo de estos pacientes requiere un equipo médico multidisciplinario. La consejería a los padres debe incluir aspectos relativos a la sobrevida, complicaciones frecuentes y riesgo-beneficio a evaluar antes de someter al menor a intervenciones quirúrgicas complejas o correctivas.

Who Is the Next "Baby Doe?" From Trisomy 21 to Trisomy 13 and 18 and Beyond.

The "Baby Doe" case of the early 1980s was marked by considerable controversy, primarily regarding the legal response of the federal government to the case at the time. In the decades that followed, the decision-making for children with trisomy 21, like Baby Doe, has been substantially reevaluated. The data, the assumptions about quality of life that were based on those data, and the ethical principles underpinning the decision-making in the Baby Doe case have all evolved significantly over time. The present strategies for decision-making for children with trisomy 13 and 18 appear to be following a similar pattern. The data, quality-of-life assumptions based on those data, and even the ethical principles underlying the decision-making for these children are currently being reexamined. Children with trisomy 13 and 18 are, in this regard, the next Baby Doe(s).

Implementation of a Perinatal Hospice Program.

BACKGROUND: In 2017, the Nebraska Unicameral passed legislative bill 506, which required physicians to inform patients carrying fetuses diagnosed with a life-limiting anomaly of the option to enroll in a comprehensive perinatal hospice program. The bill also required the Department of Health & Human Services to provide information about statewide hospice programs. Families enrolled in hospice programs are better prepared for the birth and death of their child. This large academic medical center was listed on the registry but did not have a formal perinatal hospice program. PURPOSE: Implementation of a comprehensive perinatal hospice program. METHODS: The program was designed and implemented, beginning with the formation of an interdisciplinary team. Guidelines were developed for program referral, care conferences, team communication, and family follow-up. The team was educated. Electronic record documentation and order set were implemented. A data collection process was developed to track referrals and critical data points. RESULTS: The perinatal hospice program has been accepting referrals but has not had any qualifying referrals. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The development of an evidence-based guideline for referral that can improve referral consistency. While trisomy 13 and 18 diagnosis was historically considered life-limiting, these families now have the option of full intervention and transfer for specialists. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future research will include collecting data from patients who could have benefited from hospice, including infants who were born 20 to 22 weeks, or for maternal reasons. Future research will evaluate the experience after bereavement, the hospice team's experience, and the effectiveness of the referral process.

Perinatal Counseling Following a Diagnosis of Trisomy 13 or 18: Incorporating the Facts, Parental Values, and Maintaining Choices.

BACKGROUND: Families with a prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 13 or 18 are told many things, some true and some myths. They present with differing choices on how to proceed that may or may not be completely informed. PURPOSE: To provide the prenatal counselor with a review of the pertinent obstetrical and neonatal outcome data and ethical discussion to help them in supporting families with the correct information for counseling. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY: This article provides a review of the literature on facts and myths and provides reasonable outcome data to help families in decision making. FINDINGS/RESULTS: These disorders comprise a heterogeneous group regarding presentation, outcomes, and parental goals. The authors maintain that there needs to be balanced decision-making between parents and providers for the appropriate care for the woman and her infant. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Awareness of this literature can help ensure that prenatal and palliative care consultation incorporates the appropriate facts and parental values and in the end supports differing choices that can support the infant's interests.

Ethical issues about the paradigm shift in the treatment of children with trisomy 18.

Until recently, trisomy 18 was considered a disease incompatible with life, with a high percentage of electively terminated pregnancies. The usual behavior was denial of treatment. But some medical interventions have changed the survival of children. A search for articles published in the PubMed database on the latest medical decisions in newborns with trisomy 18 was done. Two main subjects were examined: (1) the chances of survival and (2) the perception of quality of life. Trisomy 18 is no longer considered a disease incompatible with life, and the discussion has shifted towards the type of treatment that is appropriate to initiate at birth. There are two medical attitudes towards these children: either palliative care or life-prolonging interventions. With medical intervention, the survival is as high as 23% at 5 years of age. Regarding the quality of life, all decision-makers emphasize the possibility of taking the child home. The physicians' perception is more pessimistic than that of the parents. Only a few children benefit from medical interventions.Conclusion: There is a rethinking of treatment behavior in children with trisomy 18. The possible quality of life achieved should be further investigated. It seems inappropriate to simply dismiss medical interventions.What is Known• Until recently, trisomy 18 was considered a disease incompatible with life. The most common behavior was abortion and denial of treatment.What is New• It is no longer considered a lethal disease. The type of medical intervention that is appropriate to perform is now being discussed. Selected children benefit from an interventionist approach.

Building trust and improving communication with parents of children with Trisomy 13 and 18: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 are common life-limiting conditions associated with major disabilities. Many parents have described conflictual relationships with clinicians, but positive and adverse experiences of families with healthcare providers have not been well described. AIM: (1) To investigate parental experiences with clinicians and (2) to provide practical recommendations and behaviors clinicians could emulate to avoid conflict. DESIGN: Participants were asked to describe their best and worse experiences, as well as supportive clinicians they met. The results were analyzed using mixed methods. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Parents of children with trisomy 13 and 18 who were part of online social support networks. A total of 503 invitations were sent, and 332 parents completed the questionnaire about 272 children. RESULTS: The majority of parents (72%) had met a supportive clinician. When describing clinicians who changed their lives, the overarching theme, present in 88% of answers, was trust. Parents trusted clinicians when they felt he or she cared and valued their child, their family, and made them feel like good parents (69%), had appropriate knowledge (66%), and supported them and gave them realistic hope (42%). Many (42%) parents did not want to make-or be part of-life-and-death decisions. Parents gave specific examples of supportive behaviors that can be adopted by clinicians. Parents also described adverse experiences, generally leading to conflicts and lack of trust. CONCLUSION: Realistic and compassionate support of parents living with children with trisomy 13 and 18 is possible. Adversarial interactions that lead to distrust and conflicts can be avoided. Many supportive behaviors that inspire trust can be emulated.

Management of apnea in infants with trisomy 18.

This case series aimed to characterize the clinical features, management, and outcomes of apnea in infants with trisomy 18. Participants in this study were infants with trisomy 18 who were born alive and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Kyushu University Hospital from 2000 to 2018. Retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data recorded in our department. Twenty-seven infants with trisomy 18 were admitted to our hospital during the study period, of which 25 (nine males, 16 females) were enrolled as eligible participants in this study. Among them, 14 started presenting with apnea from median 3.5 days of age (range 0-47d). In these infants with apnea, eight received respiratory support of positive pressure ventilation (PPV). The 1-year survival rate of infants in the PPV group was higher than that of non-PPV-supported infants (5 out of 8 vs 0 out of 6 infants). Five PPV-supported infants received a diagnosis of epilepsy, which was controlled by antiepileptic drugs. Postnatal respiratory intervention provides better prognosis in infants with trisomy 18. Improved survival leads to accurate diagnosis and treatment of apneic events in association with epilepsy. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Respiratory support is effective against apnea in infants with trisomy 18. Intervention with ventilation provides a higher chance of prolonged survival. Improved survival leads to the accurate diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy-associated apnea.

Síndrome de Edwards con cardiopatía congénita de larga supervivencia: reporte de caso y revisión de literatura / Prolonged survival in Edwards syndrome with congenital heart disease: a case report and literature review

El síndrome de Edwards o trisomía 18 es una entidad compleja, con afectaciones en los sistemas musculoesquelético, craneofacial, cardiovascular y neurológico. Su genética es variada, presentándose tanto de manera completa como en mosaicismo. Es infrecuente que la supervivencia supere el primer año de vida. Su caracterización fenotípica no es patognomónica, por lo cual el cariotipo es fundamental para el diagnóstico prenatal por medio de amniocentesis y cordocentesis mediante técnica de hibridación fluorescente in situ. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de ocho años que ha sobrevivido con esta condición, a pesar de presentar tetralogía de Fallot acompañada de malformaciones cardíacas graves. El diagnóstico comenzó por ecografía de tamizaje prenatal a las 16 semanas y ecografía de detalle, con amniocentesis y cariotipo de líquido amniótico, con resultado 47 XX+18. Ha sido tratada por múltiples especialidades médicas, debido a complicaciones osteomusculares, articulares, neurológicas, metabólicas y cardiovasculares que han limitado su calidad de vida. El manejo de estos pacientes requiere un equipo médico multidisciplinario. La consejería a los padres debe incluir aspectos relativos a la sobrevida, complicaciones frecuentes y riesgo-beneficio a evaluar antes de someter al menor a intervenciones quirúrgicas complejas o correctivas.

Edwards syndrome or trisomy 18 is a complex entity that involves the musculoskeletal, craniofacial, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. Its genetics are varied, presenting both in a complete and mosaic type. Survival rarely exceeds the first year of life. Its phenotype characterization is not pathognomonic, so karyotype is essential for diagnosis, prenatally by amniocentesis and cordocentesis by FISH technique. We present the case of an eight-year-old girl who has survived with this condition despite presenting tetralogy of Fallot and serious cardiac malformations. Diagnosis began with prenatal screening ultrasound at 16 weeks and detailed ultrasound, with amniocentesis and amniotic fluid karyotype, with a result of 47 XX+18. She has been treated by multiple medical specialties, due to musculoskeletal, joint, neurological, metabolic, and cardiovascular complications that have limited her quality of life. The management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary medical team, and counseling for parents should include aspects related to survival, frequent complications, and risk-benefit to be evaluated before subjecting the minor to complex or corrective surgical interventions.

The association of Trisomy 13 and 18 and hospital discharge outcomes among neonates in California: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Despite Trisomy 13 and 18 being among the most fatal congenital anomalies, limited information exists about resource utilization and factors associated with length of stay (LOS) and total hospital charges (THC) for these anomalies. METHODS: We studied data sets of the patient discharge data set from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development from 2006 to 2010, to determine differences in resource utilization for survivors and non-survivors and identify the predictors of LOS and total hospital charges. Descriptive statistics were assessed for demographic and clinical characteristics. General linear regression models were used to identify predictors of LOS and THC. RESULTS: Seventy-six Trisomy 13 and 115 Trisomy 18 patients were identified, for whom inpatient mortality was 27.6% and 20.9%, respectively. In patients with Trisomy 13, after adjusting for gender, ethnicity, advanced directive (DNR), insurance and co-morbidities on multivariate analysis, the provision of more than 96 h of mechanical ventilation was associated with significantly increased LOS (standard error, SE) by 18.0 ± 5.3 days and THC (SE) by $399,000 ± $85,000. In terms of insurance type, patients with private coverage had 10.8 ± 4.9 days more than patients with Medicaid. In patients with Trisomy 18, on multivariate analysis, after adjusting for gender, ethnicity, DNR, insurance and co-morbidities, more than 96 h of mechanical ventilation was associated with increased LOS (SE) by 36.8 ± 6.8 days and THC (SE) by $365,000 ± $59,000. CONCLUSION: Understanding predictors that are associated with longer LOS and higher THC may be associated in hospital resource allocation for this vulnerable population of infants.

Experiences of children with trisomy 18 referred to pediatric palliative care services on two continents.

Children with trisomy 18 that survive beyond the neonatal period have multiple congenital anomalies, neurodevelopmental disability, and high mortality rates. The experience of children with trisomy 18 who receive pediatric palliative care services is largely unknown. We conducted a retrospective review of children with trisomy 18 receiving pediatric palliative care services at both Boston Children's Hospital, USA and Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK from January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2015. Fifty-eight children with trisomy 18 were referred to pediatric palliative care, 38 in the United Kingdom, 20 in the United States. Median age at referral was 19 days (2-89) in the United Kingdom, and 25 days (1-463) in the United States. Median length of time being followed by pediatric palliative care was 32 days (1-1,637) in the United Kingdom and 67 days (3-2,442) in the United States. The only significant difference in the two cohorts (p = .001) was in likelihood of receiving cardiac surgical intervention-37% in the United States, 0% the United Kingdom. Children with trisomy 18 receive pediatric palliative care services, with variable age at referral and for a variable length of time. Further research is needed to understand the experience of children with trisomy 18 and their families receiving pediatric palliative care services.

Prenatal counseling and parental decision-making following a fetal diagnosis of trisomy 13 or 18.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate parental decisions following a prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 13 (T13) or trisomy 18 (T18), prenatal counseling received, and pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective cohort study of families with a prenatal diagnosis of T13 or T18 from 2000 to 2016. RESULTS: Out of 152 pregnancies, 55% were terminated. Twenty percent chose induction with palliative care, 20% chose expectant management, 2% chose full interventions, and 3% were lost to follow-up. Counseling was based on initial parental goals, but most women were given options besides termination. Women who chose expectant management had a live birth in 50% of the cases. Women who chose neonatal interventions had a live birth in 100% of the cases, but there were no long-term survivors. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of women who continue their pregnancy after a fetal diagnosis of T13 or T18 desire expectant management with palliative care. A live birth can be expected at least half of the time.

Obstetric practice patterns in pregnancies complicated by fetal trisomy 13 or 18.

PURPOSE: Describe practice patterns among obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) when caring for women with pregnancy complicated by fetal trisomy 13 (T13) or 18 (T18) and compare these between maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) and non-MFM providers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an electronic survey using the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists database. Using simple statistics, we describe demographics and practice patterns among respondents and compare those of MFM practitioners with non-MFM providers. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 300 individuals, 161 individuals verified email receipt, and 105 had complete response and were included. The median age was 58 (IQR 53,62). Sixty percent were female, 69% were private practice, and 38% were MFM. All providers were more likely to offer than to recommend antenatal and intrapartum interventions. MFMs were more likely to offer growth ultrasounds and neonatal hospice consults (53% vs. 29%, p = .02; 88% vs. 60%, p < .01). During labor, MFMs were more likely offer no fetal heart rate monitoring, (90% vs. 52%, p < .01), 60% of all providers offer breech vaginal delivery; 32% offer cesarean delivery for fetal distress. CONCLUSION: Many providers offer antepartum and intrapartum interventions for pregnancies complicated by T13/18. We recommend that providers elicit each woman's goals for pregnancies complicated by T13/18 and tailor management options to meet these goals.