Gastroschisis is when the abdominal wall does not properly close during development and some of the babies intestines form outside the body. Widespread use of antenatal ultrasound examination and maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening has made the detection of gastroschisis possible in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Babies born with this condition have a hole in the abdominal wall, usually located at the junction of the umbilicus and normal skin, and is almost always to the right of the umbilical cord.
Gastroschisis is the most common abdominal wall defect. Because the bowels have been exposed to the amniotic fluid, the intestines may be swollen and covered with a thick film. Sometimes the ovaries in girls and undescended testicles in boys are found outside the body also.
The Ohio Fetal Collaborative can test, diagnose and treat Gastroschisis. In general, you can expect your child to recover from Gastroschisis and live a normal life.
The exact cause of gastroschisis is not currently known. Gastroschisis affects both males and females in equal numbers. Most babies with gastroschisis are born to young mothers in their first pregnancy. It is congenital, meaning it happens before your baby is born. Usually, the condition is not inherited, and future pregnancies are not affected. Usually there is not a family history of gastroschisis.
You may have a prenatal ultrasound done while you are pregnant to learn about the health of your baby. Gastrochisis is usually found on prenatal ultrasound after the 12th week of pregnancy. The ultrasound may also show too much amniotic fluid. A maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening can also be used to diagnose the problem.
The survival rate for babies born with gastroschisis is 95 percent.
A baby with gastroschisis cannot be treated before birth. Your doctor will have a detailed plan to watch your pregnancy very closely. Ideally you will be able to have a normal vaginal delivery, though your doctor may discuss delivery via cesarean section (C-section) in some cases. It is important to call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns during your pregnancy. On average, mothers deliver between 36-37 weeks of pregnancy.
If this problem is found while you are pregnant, you will continue to receive care from your doctor and may be referred to the Ohio Fetal Medicine Collaborative (OFMC).
Through the OFMC, you will see a doctor who specializes in the care of high-risk patients. You will also meet with a pediatric specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to learn more about your baby’s care after he or she is born. Nurse coordinators will be available to help answer your questions and concerns; guide you through your pregnancy; and prepare you for what to expect.
You will deliver your baby at a hospital that is prepared to care for high risk babies.
At the delivery hospital, a neonatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating newborns) will supervise your baby.
Your baby will go to surgery a few hours after delivery. Once your baby goes to the Operating Room, the surgeon will carefully inspect the intestines. The surgeon may need to stretch the hole in the abdomen so the intestines can be put back into the abdomen. See Image 1.
Primary Repair
About half the time, the surgeon is able to place all the intestines back into the abdomen and the opening is closed.
Staged Repair
A staged procedure is done when the bowel is swollen and inflamed. Placing the swollen intestines into the abdomen puts too much pressure on the lungs, making it hard for your baby to breathe. So the procedure is done in steps or stages. In the first stage, the surgeon is able to place some of the intestine into the abdomen, but must leave a part of it out because of swelling.
A surgical pouch called a silo is placed around the intestines. See Image 2. Your baby will be placed in an Isolette® so the silo can be suspended, and your baby’s surroundings kept as clean as possible. Completely sterile (germ-free) linen will be used. Anyone who touches or handles your baby must wear sterile gloves to help prevent infection. Your baby will remain on antibiotics until the silo is removed.
Every day the surgeon will gently push part of the intestine into the abdomen until it is inside. This takes about a week. Then your baby will go back to surgery to close the hole in the abdomen. Your baby will have a belly button but it will be slightly to the left of where it normally would be.
After surgery, your baby will receive care in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Your baby will need to be on a breathing machine until he or she is fully recovered from surgery.
Other treatments your baby will probably need after surgery are:
Feedings are started once the intestines are fully healed after surgery. Feedings of breast milk or formula are started very slowly with either the bottle, nasogastric tube (NG) or a gastrostomy tube. The tube is removed when your baby’s intestine works properly.
The total length of time your baby will stay in the hospital will vary. It will depend on whether your baby is born with other health issues or if there are complications after surgery. The usual length of stay in the hospital is about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. If there are complications the expected hospital stay may be longer.
In general, most babies recover well after the surgery. You may be able to take your baby home once he or she is feeding well and gaining weight.
Your baby will need regular follow-up appointments to measure growth, development and nutrition. You will want to find a local pediatrician to take care of the routine checkups, immunizations, and doctor’s visits. The program coordinator can help if needed. The pediatric surgeon will follow up with your baby’s surgical needs.