Transabdominal amnioinfusion to avoid fetal demise and intestinal damage in fetuses with gastroschisis and severe oligohydramnios.
OBJECTIVE
Despite dramatic improvement in survival rate for neonates with gastroschisis, significant postoperative morbidity and a low mortality rate still occur. Furthermore, even in recent publications, some fetal death has been reported. Does this mean that antenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis is a missed opportunity? In fact, decreased amniotic fluid (AF) volume is observed in some fetuses with gastroschisis. However, oligohydramnios is associated with an increased risk of fetal suffering. When severe oligohydramnios is observed, intrapartum amnioinfusion, to restore AF volume, may help avoid fetal complications.


METHODS
Two fetuses with gastroschisis and severe oligohydramnios were treated antenatally with amnioinfusion of saline solution. In one case, fetal heart beat decelerations were observed at 27 weeks' gestation among with the oligohydroamnios and serial transabdominal amnioinfusions were performed. In the second case, severe oligohydramnios was observed at 31, weeks and an amnioinfusion was performed. The 2 babies were delivered at 31 and 34 weeks, respectively.


RESULTS
In both cases, exteriorized bowel was nearly normal at birth, and primary closure could be performed. Outcome was favorable, and they were discharged home on day 43 and day 54, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Because fetuses with gastroschisis and oligohydramnios are part of a particular high-risk group, serial ultrasound examination and computerized fetal heart beat monitoring are necessary during the third trimester. In selected cases of gastroschisis associated with severe oligohydramnios, serial amnioinfusion may be required.
Sapin
E
E
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dijon-Bourgogne University Medical School, France.
Mahieu
D
D
Borgnon
J
J
Douvier
S
S
Carricaburu
E
E
Sagot
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005333:Fetus / Q000601:surgery*; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal