Risk factors
The exact cause of gastroschisis is unknown.
The following have been reported to be associated with the development of the condition: (1,2)
- low maternal age
- one European study found that compared with mothers aged 25-29, the relative risk was 7.0 (95% confidence interval 5.6 to 8.7) for mothers under 20 and 2.4 (2.0 to 3.0) for mothers aged 20-24 years.
- use of recreational drugs (4)
- early and unprotected sexual intercourse
- maternal smoking - it is suggested that cigarette smoke causes vasoconstriction that contributes to placental insufficiency and failed development of the vascular system(3)
- genitourinary infection.
- low parity
- low socio-economic status
- poor maternal diet
- drugs - decongestants, ibuprofen and aspirin (1,2)
Reference:
- Poddar R, Hartley L. Exomphalos and gastroschisis Crit Care Pain (2009) 9 (2): 48-51
- Mastroiacovo P. Risk factors for gastroschisis. BMJ. 2008;336(7658):1386-7.
- Laughon M, Meyer R, Bose C, et al. Rising birth prevalence of gastroschisis. J Perinatol. 2003 Jun;23(4):291-3.
- Draper ES, Rankin J, Tonks AM, et al. Recreational drug use: a major risk factor for gastroschisis? Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Feb 15;167(4):485-91.
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