The role of antepartum surveillance in the management of gastroschisis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the perinatal morbidity and mortality of fetuses diagnosed with gastroschisis at our Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center.


METHODS
A retrospective review of a regional prenatal diagnostic center. Twenty-nine cases of gastroschisis which were diagnosed, managed, delivered and had corrective surgeries through the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center were identified from 1985 to 1994. Perinatal morbidity and mortality were reviewed. Antepartum testing schemes were reviewed when available to determine whether morbidity or mortality could have potentially been prevented.


RESULTS
Meconium occurrence, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and oligohydramnios complicated 79%, 41% and 36% of the cases, respectively. The perinatal mortality of this series was 241/1000. Significant differences in perinatal mortality were noted when fetal testing was incorporated (200/1000 vs. 286/1000, P < or = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Gastroschisis is associated with a high incidence of IUGR, meconium, oligohydramnios and high perinatal mortality. Antenatal testing appears to significantly lower perinatal mortality in pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis.
Adair
C D
CD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Rosnes
J
J
Frye
A H
AH
Burrus
D R
DR
Nelson
L H
LH
Veille
J C
JC
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008470:Meconium / Q000378:metabolism; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins