Growth and neurodevelopment at 16 to 24 months of age for infants born with gastroschisis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine growth, neurodevelopment and morbidity in infants with gastroschisis.


METHODS
We enrolled all infants with gastroschisis treated at the North Carolina Children's Hospital from March 2003 through June 2005. Neonatal data were collected. Medical history, growth and neurodevelopment were assessed at 16 to 24 months.


RESULTS
Of 24 infants, 17 completed follow-up. Weight and length were below the 10th percentile for five and six infants, respectively. Three infants scored less than 85 on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, second edition. Small for gestational age (SGA) infants were smaller and had lower neurodevelopmental scores. Fourteen experienced continued bowel dysfunction; nine were rehospitalized.


CONCLUSIONS
One-third of infants with gastroschisis experience growth delay. Infants who are SGA are at higher risk, suggesting that postnatal growth may be influenced by fetal phenomena, and may not be modifiable. Neurodevelopment is not delayed. Continued bowel dysfunction is common.
South
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AP
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7596, USA. Andrew_South@med.unc.edu
Marshall
D D
DD
Bose
C L
CL
Laughon
M M
MM
D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome