Prognosis
The prognosis of ectopia cordis depends on classification according to three factors:
- Location of the defect
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Thoracoabdominal
- Abdominal
- Extent of the cardiac displacement
- Presence or absence of intracardiac defects
Some studies have suggested a better prognosis with surgery in cases of thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis or less severe pentalogy of Cantrell. In general, the prognosis for ectopia cordis is poor -- most cases result in death shortly after birth due to infection, hypoxemia, or cardiac failure.
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