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:

1. Poddar R, Hartley L. Exomphalos and gastroschisis Crit Care Pain (2009) 9 (2): 48-51
2. Mastroiacovo P. Risk factors for gastroschisis. BMJ. 2008;336(7658):1386-7.
3. Laughon M, Meyer R, Bose C, et al. Rising birth prevalence of gastroschisis. J Perinatol. 2003 Jun;23(4):291-3.
4. 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.