Gastroschisis Detailed Information

Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall blemish like omphalocele in which the anterior abdomen does not shut rightly allowing the intestines to protrude outside the fetus. The common of fetuses with this problem are born to mothers in their late teens or early twenties. This defect is the result of obstruction of the omphalomesenteric vessels during development. It is frequently detected through AFP screening or a detailed fetal ultrasound. Gastroschisis is an uncommon birth defect, seen in about 1 of 5,000 births. Although about 10% of babies with gastroschisis have an intestinal atresia in which a portion of the intestine does not develop.

The blemish is rarely linked with other genetic abnormalities. There is no exact known cause. Unlike other abdominal wall defects such as omphalocele, gastroschisis is typically not related with chromosomal anomalies or other structural malformations with the exception of intestinal atresia (blockage). Gastroschisis is usually not associated with chromosome disorders. The only problems that are common with these babies are related to their gastrointestinal system.

Approximately 20 to 40 percent will have several type of gastrointestinal abnormality such as: malrotation (bowel is not in right spot), atresia (passage is blocked), volvulus (twisting of the bowel, blood supply can be cut off), or infarction (blood supply has been cut off and that area will be harmed). Women who had both a sexually transmitted disease and a urinary tract infection just before or during early pregnancy, the child may be 4 times more likely to have gastroschisis. Babies with gastroschisis are at an enlarged risk for stillbirth. The incidence of stillbirth is approximately 10 percent.

These babies will frequently be smaller than normally estimated. It is probable that as many as 75 percent will be classified as increase restricted. This means the baby weighs less than we would guess for the gestational age. Gastroschisis can treats surgery. During surgery the organs will be put back inside your baby's abdomen. If possible the entire bowel will be put back into the abdominal cavity at this initial surgery. Other treatments for the baby include nutrients by IV and antibiotics to prevent infection. The baby's temperature must be carefully controlled, since the exposed intestine allows a lot of body heat to flight.