Risk factors for perioperative hypothermia and infectious outcomes in gastroschisis patients

Introduction: Prior data suggest that infants with gastroschisis are at high risk for hypothermia and infectious complications (ICs). This study evaluated the associations between perioperative hypothermia (PH) and ICs in gastroschisis using a multi-institutional cohort. Methods: Retrospective review of infants with gastroschisis who underwent abdominal closure from 2013-2017 was performed at 7 children's hospitals. Any-IC and surgical site infection (SSI) were stratified against the presence or absence of PH, and perioperative characteristics associated with PH and SSI were determined using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Of 256 gastroschisis neonates, 42% developed PH, with 18% classified as mild hypothermia (35.5-35.9 degrees C), 10.5% as moderate (35.0-35.4 degrees C), and 13% severe ( < 35 degrees C). There were 82 (32%) ICs with 50 (19.5%) being SSIs. No associations between PH and any-IC ( p = 0.7) or SSI ( p = 0.98) were found. Pulmonary comorbidities (odds ratio (OR) = 3.76, 95%CI:1.42-10, p = 0.008) and primary closure (OR = 0.21, 95%CI:0.12-0.39, p < 0.001) were associated with PH, while silo placement (OR = 2.62, 95%CI:1.1- 6.3, p = 0.03) and prosthetic patch (OR = 3.42, 95%CI:1.4-8.3, p = 0.007) were associated with SSI on multivariable logistic regression. Conclusions: Primary abdominal closure and pulmonary comorbidities are associated with PH in gastroschisis, however PH was not associated with increased risk of ICs. Independent risk factors for SSI include silo placement and prosthetic patch closure. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that perioperative hypothermia in infants with gastroschisis is not associated with an increased risk of infectious complications. Factors related to hypothermia include pulmonary comorbidities and primary abdominal closure. Independent risk factors for surgical site infection include silo placement and prosthetic patch closure.