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°C), 10.5% as moderate (35.0–35.4°C), and 13% severe (<35°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.