title: Expectant management compared with elective delivery at 37 weeks for gastroschisis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate obstetric and neonatal outcomes after induction of labor at 37 weeks of gestation compared with expectant management in pregnancies complicated by fetal gastroschisis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The management of 296 pregnancies involving fetal gastroschisis (1980-2011) was reviewed from a single perinatal center. Ultrasound surveillance and nonstress testing were performed every 2 weeks from 30 weeks of gestation, weekly from 34 weeks of gestation, and twice weekly after 35 weeks of gestation until delivery. Labor was induced if fetal well-being testing was abnormal and, since 1994, labor was routinely induced at 37 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 153 pregnancies reaching 37 weeks of gestation, labor was induced in 77 (26%) and 76 (25.7%) were allowed to labor spontaneously. There were no significant differences in mean maternal age (22 years in both), parity (56% compared with 66% nulliparous), presence of other fetal anomalies (12% compared with 9%), cesarean delivery rate (20% in both), 5-minute Apgar score less than 7 (10% compared with 12%), meconium at birth (36% compared with 49%), or respiratory distress syndrome (16% compared with 7%) between the induced and expectantly managed groups. However, neonatal sepsis (25% compared with 42%; P=.02) and a composite outcome of neonatal death and bowel damage (necrosis, atresia, perforation, adhesion; 8% compared with 21%; P=.02) were more common in expectantly managed pregnancies. Moreover, time to oral feeds (-3.4 days), time on total parenteral nutrition (-6.2 days), and hospital stay (-6.7 days) were reduced when labor was induced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In fetuses with gastroschisis, induction of labor at 37 weeks of gestation was associated with reduced risks of sepsis, bowel damage, and neonatal death compared with pregnancies managed expectantly beyond 37 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  II.
authors: Fetal Medicine Unit and the Department of Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Baud
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Lausman
authors: Malikah A
authors: MA
authors: Alfaraj
authors: Gareth
authors: G
authors: Seaward
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Kingdom
authors: Rory
authors: R
authors: Windrim
authors: Jacob C
authors: JC
authors: Langer
authors: Edmond N
authors: EN
authors: Kelly
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Ryan
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000150:complications; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007751:Labor, Induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
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