Congenital abdominal wall defects: an update.
OBJECTIVE
To review published peer-reviewed literature regarding abdominal wall defects including gastroschisis and omphalocele.


METHODS
Review of published peer-reviewed literature using Med Line 1985-2003 and textbooks.


RESULTS
Gastroschisis and omphalocele literature is reviewed using pathology, incidence and epidemiology, prenatal evaluation, pregnancy and delivery management, postnatal outcome and fetal therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastroschisis and omphalocele are common abdominal wall defects and have significant morbidity and mortality.
Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, USA. wilsonrd@email.chop.edu
R Douglas
RD
Wilson
Mark P
MP
Johnson
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome