[Cantrell's pentalogy. Four cases reported].

BACKGROUND

In 1958, Cantrell etal. described a rare syndrome in neonates. The description of the syndrome was characterized by a midline supraumbilical defect encompassing a thoracoabdominal omphalocele and ectopia cordis, a defect of the lower sternum, ventral diaphragmatic and pericardial defects, and other congenital cardiac anomalies.

CLINICAL CASES: 4 neonates with the uncommon Cantrell's pentalogy were seen in our hospital within a 5-year period without having any apparent factor in common. This paper describes the clinical course and surgical correction.

CONCLUSIONS

Early detection of these anomalies is very important for the diagnosis and surgical planning, and subsequently for prognostic implications.