Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome and Hirschsprung disease: A retrospective review of the French National Registry Center on 33 cases

J Pediatr Surg. 2019 Nov;54(11):2325-2330. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.02.014. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Abstract

Aim of the study: Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS) is a rare affection associated to Hirschsprung disease (HD) in 20% of the cases. Using the French CCHS registry, we described the population of patients suffering from both CCHS and HD reporting the outcome on these patients.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed. Epidemiological, clinical, histological and genetic data were analyzed and extracted from the national French registry data.

Results: 33 patients had CCHS and HD. Thirty percent had a severe form of CCHS (Death owing to CCHS or 24/24 ventilation beyond 1 year old). Fifty four percent required tracheotomy. HD's pathologic segment was classic (Rectosigmoid and left colic form) in 20% and long (Above the splenic flexure) in 80%. Twenty four percent were treated with daily irrigation, 21% had colostomy without undergoing pullthrough, and 55% underwent optimal treatment (pull through). We failed to demonstrate a correlation between severity of CCHS and HD's length. The rate of mortality was 57% and was higher in the long HD group (p = 0.0005). Fourteen patients were still alive, aged 1 to 31 years old. Ninety two percent were weaned off the 24/24 ventilation. Regarding the intestinal function, 38% presented with soiling and 30% with chronic diarrhea. Hundred percent had CCHS follow-up while only 35% had no surgical follow-up in regard to the HD.

Conclusions: This is the largest study regarding the CCHS / HD association and its long-term followup. Mortality is high demonstrating that a multidisciplinary follow-up on respiratory and intestinal function is necessary to improve outcome. Level III study.

Keywords: Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome; Hirschsprung; National registry.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Hirschsprung Disease* / complications
  • Hirschsprung Disease* / physiopathology
  • Hirschsprung Disease* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypoventilation / congenital*
  • Hypoventilation / etiology
  • Hypoventilation / physiopathology
  • Hypoventilation / therapy
  • Infant
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sleep Apnea, Central* / etiology
  • Sleep Apnea, Central* / physiopathology
  • Sleep Apnea, Central* / therapy
  • Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

  • Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome