Pregnancy and Long-Term Postnatal Outcomes of Congenital Sacrococcygeal Teratoma: A Single Institution's 18-Year Experience

Birth Defects Res. 2024 Oct;116(10):e2405. doi: 10.1002/bdr2.2405.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate outcomes of fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) from an academic tertiary center.

Study design: This is a retrospective study evaluating pregnancy and postnatal outcomes of fetal SCT management at a single institution between 2006 and 2023. Results are reported as median (range).

Results: Fourteen patients with fetal SCT were studied. Hydrops fetalis occurred in 2 (14.3%) cases. Pregnancy course included expectant management in 12 (85.7%) and palliative preterm induction in 1 patient (7.1%). Indications for delivering timing included fetal deterioration in 7 patients (50%), preeclampsia in 3 (21.4%), elective induction of delivery in 3 (21.4%), and preterm labor in 1 (7.1%). Delivery GA was 36.4 weeks (26.4-40.1 weeks), with 11 (78.5%) cesareans and 3 (21.4%) vaginal deliveries. There were 13 (92.9%) live births and 11 (78.6%) long-term survivors. Postnatal resection pathology demonstrated 7 (53.8%) mature, 3 (23.1%) immature, and 3 (23.1%) malignant SCTs. Of the 11 long-term survivors, 3 (27.3%) had teratoma recurrences, including 2 (18.2%) with metastatic disease requiring chemotherapy. Notable long-term complications involved gastrointestinal (n = 7, 63.6%), genitourinary (n = 4, 36.4%), and musculoskeletal (n = 2, 18.2%) systems.

Conclusion: SCT confers significant morbidity to both the pregnant patient and neonate. Multidisciplinary prenatal and postnatal care is needed to comprehensively manage this complex condition.

Keywords: fetal surgery; hydrops fetalis; open fetal resection; sacrococcygeal teratoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrops Fetalis
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sacrococcygeal Region* / abnormalities
  • Teratoma*