Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is a congenital defect in the anterior abdominal wall which allows intraperitoneal abdominal contents to herniate outside of the abdominal cavity and is not covered by membrane (1,2).

• organs that may protrude through the defect include - the stomach, small and large intestine, liver, spleen and bladder, but typically it is the bowel that is exteriorised.
• the defect is usually situated just lateral to the umbilical cord, usually to the right.
• it is probably the result of a defect that occurs at the site where the second umbilical vein involutes
• it may be detected during prenatal ultrasound scan.

Gastroschisis is the most common abdominal wall defect (3).

• both sexes are equally affected
• forty percent of patients are either premature or small for gestational age

The incidence of gastroschisis is increasing worldwide

• reported rates of gastroschisis has increased from 0.1-1.0 per 10 000 births to 3.0-5.0 per 10 000 births in many developed and developing countries,
• the notable exception is Italy where rates have remained stable at under 1.0 per 10 000 (2)

Reference:

1. Lepigeon K et al.Gastroschisis - what should be told to parents? Prenat Diagn. 2013doi: 10.1002/pd.4305.
2. Mastroiacovo P. Risk factors for gastroschisis. BMJ. 2008;336(7658):1386-7.
3. Rao SC et al. Ward reduction of gastroschisis in a single stage without general anaesthesia may increase the risk of short-term morbidities: results of a retrospective audit. J Paediatr Child Health. 2009;45(6):384-8