title: Gastroschisis: A Review of Management and Outcomes.
abstract: We performed an evidence-based review of the obstetrical management of gastroschisis. Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect, which has increased in frequency in recent decades. There is variation of prevalence by ethnicity and several known maternal risk factors. Herniated intestinal loops lacking a covering membrane can be identified with prenatal ultrasonography, and maternal serum α-fetoprotein level is commonly elevated. Because of the increased risk for growth restriction, amniotic fluid abnormalities, and fetal demise, antenatal testing is generally recommended. While many studies have aimed to identify antenatal predictors of neonatal outcome, accurate prognosis remains challenging. Delivery by 37 weeks appears reasonable, with cesarean delivery reserved for obstetric indications. Postnatal surgical management includes primary surgical closure, staged reduction with silo, or sutureless umbilical closure. Overall prognosis is good with low long-term morbidity in the majority of cases, but approximately 15% of cases are very complex with complicated hospital course, extensive intestinal loss, and early childhood death.
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Rachel V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.affiliation: Clinical Fellow, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dotters-Katz
authors.affiliation: Professor, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kuller
authors.affiliation: Professor, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques