Delayed primary surgery and outcomes in children with gastrointestinal anomalies in 264 hospitals and 74 countries

The impact of delayed presentation to primary surgery on mortality and complication outcomes in children with gastrointestinal congenital anomalies is poorly understood. Using a cohort of 3767 children with gastrointestinal anomalies in 74 countries (2018-2019), we assessed predictors of delay and compare 30-day risk of all-cause mortality (ACM) and complication among children with delayed ($>$24 hours of life) versus non-delayed (≤24 of life) presentation to primary surgery. Children in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) had greater probability of delay (PR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.59, 2.02) and mortality risk for all anomaly types compared to children in high-income countries (HICs). Compared to non-delayed children, delayed children with gastroschisis (RR: 1.62; 1.07, 2.47), omphalocele (RR: 1.17; 0.62, 2.21), intestinal atresia (RR: 1.88; 1.34, 2.63), and esophageal atresia (1.54; 1.15, 2.05) had greater ACM risk. Delayed children with gastroschisis (1.48; 1.25, 1.75) and esophageal atresia (1.17; 1.05, 1.30) had greater complication risk. Probability of delay and risk of death was higher in LMICs than HICs. Compared to non-delayed children, delayed children with gastroschisis, omphalocele, intestinal atresia, and esophageal atresia had greater 30-day ACM risk and delayed children with gastroschisis and esophageal atresia had greater 30-day complication risk.