Health A-Z

Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal wall where a baby's intestines protrude outside the body through a hole beside the belly button. Here's an overview of its symptoms, treatment plan, diagnosis, and testing.

1. Visible intestines: The most apparent symptom is the presence of intestines outside the baby's body, typically to the right of the umbilical cord.
2. No covering membrane: Unlike another abdominal defect called omphalocele, which involves a covering membrane, gastroschisis doesn't have this protective layer.

1. Immediate postnatal care: The baby is delivered via cesarean section, and immediate steps are taken to protect the exposed intestines from damage and to prevent infection.
2. Surgical repair: Typically, the main treatment involves surgery to place the intestines back into the abdomen and repair the hole in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often done shortly after birth.
3. Supportive care: The baby may need supportive care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) following surgery, which may include IV fluids, nutrition support, and monitoring for complications

1. Prenatal ultrasound: Often diagnosed during routine prenatal ultrasounds, where the intestines are observed outside the baby's body.
2. Maternal blood tests: These might be conducted to assess any associated complications or genetic conditions.
3. Fetal MRI: Sometimes used for a more detailed assessment if the ultrasound results are inconclusive.
4. Amniocentesis: This test might be performed to check for any genetic abnormalities associated with gastroschisis.