[Digestive malformations and their associations to syndrome condition and genetic defects]. / Malformaciones digestivas y su asociación a patología sindrómica y defectos genéticos.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of disease syndromes and genetic defects in patients with malformations is much higher than in the general population. We reviewed our experience in infants with gastrointestinal malformations to know the incidence of genetic defects and syndromic presentation, for purposes of carrying out the most complete assessment and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 161 patients with one or more malformations or congenital gastrointestinal pathology. We evaluated type of malformation (isolated or syndromic), association with polimalformative complex, genetic testing and its results. RESULTS: The main diagnosis, from highest to lowest incidence, is intestinal malrotation (17.18%), Hirschsprung's disease (13.64%), Meckel's diverticulum (13.14%), oesophageal atresia (12.13%), anorectal malformation (11.12%), diaphragmatic hernia (6.57%), duodenal atresia (5.56%), small bowel atresia (4.55%), omphalocele (4.04), and other (12.07%). In 45.3% the malformation is not isolated. 27.4% appear as syndrome, 4.1% as development defect and 2.7% as association. Genetic study was performed in 30.43%, detecting defects in 36.7% of the studies. Down syndrome (n = 8) is the most frequent. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with these patients is similar to that provided in the literature. We consider that it is important to identify any associated anomalies, especially heart disease, craniofacial anomalies and other gastrointestinal malformations, because they condition the patient's management. Pathologies that are often associated with other defects require more effort for their detection. The knowledge of these patients is essential for correct treatment.