Factors of poor prognosis in newborns with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis in Bogota, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with poor prognoses in newborns with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis in eight hospitals in Bogota, Colombia, from 2011 to 2022. METHODS: A multi-center retrospective case-control study was conducted on newborns with gastroschisis in eight hospitals in Bogota, Colombia. Poor prognosis was defined as the presence of sepsis, intestinal complications, or death. RESULTS: The study included 101 patients. Preterm newborns under 32 weeks had a poor neonatal prognosis (OR 6.78 95 % CI 0.75-319). Oligohydramnios (OR 4.95 95 % CI 1.15-21.32) and staged closure with silo (OR 3.48; 95 % CI 1.10-10.96) were risk factors for neonatal death, and intra-abdominal bowel dilation of 20-25 mm was a factor for the development of intestinal complications (OR 3.22 95 % CI 1.26-8.23). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal bowel dilation between 20 and 25 mm was associated with intestinal complications, while oligohydramnios was associated with the risk of perinatal death, requiring increased antenatal surveillance of fetal wellbeing. Management with primary reduction when technically feasible is recommended in these infants, considering that the use of silos was associated with higher mortality.

Chest radiographic thoracic areas and respiratory outcomes in infants with anterior abdominal wall defects.

OBJECTIVES: Infants with anterior abdominal wall defects (AWD) can suffer from pulmonary complications. Our aims were to determine if the chest radiographic thoracic areas (CRTAs) on day one differed between infants with exomphalos or gastroschisis, whether this related to differing severity of outcomes and if they were lower than those of controls indicating abnormal antenatal lung growth. METHODS: A review of infants with exomphalos or gastroschisis born between January 2004 and January 2023 was conducted. The control group was term, newborn infants ventilated for poor respiratory drive at birth. Chest radiographs on day one were analysed and the highest CRTA in the first 24 h after birth for each infant included in the analysis. RESULTS: The 127 infants with gastroschisis had a lower gestational age and birthweight than the 62 exomphalos infants and 130 controls (all p<0.001) The CRTAs of the controls were greater than the CRTAs of the exomphalos and the gastroschisis infants (p = 0.001). The median CRTA corrected for birthweight was lower in the exomphalos infants [688, IQR 568-875 mm2/kg] than the gastroschisis infants [813, IQE 695-915 mm2/kg] No gastroschisis infant developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). A CRTA of 1759 mm2 had a sensitivity of 81 % and specificity of 71 % in predicting BPD in infants with exomphalos. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with gastroschisis or exomphalos had lower CRTAs than controls suggesting both groups had abnormal antenatal lung development. The CRTA was lower in the exomphalos infants who also had worse respiratory outcomes, hence CRTA assessment may a useful prognostic aid.

Gastroschisis: embriology, pathogenesis, risk factors, prognosis, and ultrasonographic markers for adverse neonatal outcomes.

Gastroschisis is the most common congenital defect of the abdominal wall, typically located to the right of the umbilical cord, through which the intestinal loops and viscera exit without being covered by the amniotic membrane. Despite the known risk factors for gastroschisis, there is no consensus on the cause of this malformation. Prenatal ultrasound is useful for diagnosis, prognostic prediction (ultrasonographic markers) and appropriate monitoring of fetal vitality. Survival rate of children with gastroschisis is more than 95% in developed countries; however, complex gastroschisis requires multiple neonatal interventions and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. In this article, we conducted a narrative review including embryology, pathogenesis, risk factors, and ultrasonographic markers for adverse neonatal outcomes in fetuses with gastroschisis. Prenatal risk stratification of gastroschisis helps to better counsel parents, predict complications, and prepare the multidisciplinary team to intervene appropriately and improve postnatal outcomes.

Gastroschisis ultrasound bowel characteristics demonstrate minimal impact on perinatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Bowel dilation and bowel wall thickness are common prenatal ultrasound measurements for fetuses with gastroschisis. Data regarding antenatal sonographic bowel findings and postnatal outcomes are conflicting. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of in utero bowel measurements on perinatal outcomes in gastroschisis pregnancies. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 116 pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis between 2011 and 2020. We reviewed ultrasounds documenting fetal bowel measurements. To evaluate the association of these measurements with antepartum and delivery outcomes, we ran logistic and linear models using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Eleven perinatal outcomes reached statistical significance, although with minimal clinical impact given small magnitude of effect. Intra-abdominal bowel dilation was associated with a 0.5 week decrease in delivery gestational age (GA) (95% CI -0.07, -0.03) and a 6.93 g increase in birth weight (95% CI 1.54, 28.73). Intra-abdominal bowel wall thickness was associated with later GA of non-stress test (NST) start of 0.22 weeks (95% CI 0.07, 0.37), increased delivery GA of 0.08 weeks (95% CI 0.02, 0.15), 0.006 decrease in umbilical artery (UA) pH (95% CI -0.009, -0.003), 0.26 increase in UA base deficit (95% CI 0.09, 0.43), and decreased odds of cesarean delivery (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.70, 0.99). Extra-abdominal bowel wall thickness was associated with a 0.1 increase in UA base deficit (95% CI 0.02, 0.19) and a 0.05 increase in 5-min APGAR score (95% CI 0.01, 0.09). Stomach cross-section was associated with a 0.01 week decrease in delivery GA (95% CI -0.02, -0.001) and increased odds of receiving betamethasone (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.01, 1.04). CONCLUSIONS: In utero bowel characteristics reached statistical significance for several outcomes, but with minimal meaningful clinical differences in outcomes.

Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Evaluation of Lung Volume in Fetuses with Abdominal Wall Defect.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal wall defects (AWDs) interfere with postnatal respiratory parameters. We aimed to evaluate lung volume (LV) in fetuses with AWD using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) and to correlate AWD with the type (omphalocele and gastroschisis) and size of the defect and neonatal morbidity and mortality. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 72 pregnant women with fetuses with AWD and a gestational age <25 weeks. The data on abdominal volume, 3D US LV, and herniated volume were acquired every 4 weeks up to 33 weeks. LV was compared with normal reference curves and correlated with abdominal and herniated volumes. RESULTS: Omphalocele (p < 0.001) and gastroschisis (p < 0.001) fetuses had smaller LV than normal fetuses. LV was positively correlated with abdominal volume (omphalocele, r = 0.86; gastroschisis, r = 0.88), whereas LV was negatively correlated with omphalocele-herniated volume/abdominal volume (p < 0.001, r = -0.51). LV was smaller in omphalocele fetuses that died (p = 0.002), were intubated (p = 0.02), or had secondary closure (p < 0.001). In gastroschisis, a smaller LV was observed in fetuses discharged using oxygen (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Fetuses with AWD had smaller 3D LV than normal fetuses. Fetal abdominal volume was inversely correlated with LV. In omphalocele fetuses, a smaller LV was associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Prenatal repair of gastroschisis using partial carbon dioxide insufflation fetoscopy: lessons learned.

We report the long-term outcomes of a case of prenatal gastroschisis repair using a fully percutaneous fetoscopic approach with partial carbon dioxide insufflation. Surgery was performed as an experimental procedure before the scheduled elective birth. The fetal intestines were successfully returned to the abdominal cavity without any fetal or maternal complications. Ultrasonography performed 24 hours later revealed bowel peristalsis and no signs of fetal distress. After 48 hours, partial extrusion of the small bowel was observed, and the fetus was delivered. Gastroschisis repair was immediately performed upon delivery using the EXIT-like procedure as per our institutional protocol. The newborn did not require assisted mechanical ventilation, was discharged at 14 days of age and was then exclusively breastfed. At 3-year follow-up, the patient had no associated gastroschisis-related complications. This is the first case of prenatal repair of gastroschisis, which provides baseline knowledge for future researchers on the potential hurdles and management of prenatal repair.

Prediction of Neonatal Growth Restriction in Fetuses With Gastroschisis by Early Third Trimester Ultrasonography Utilizing Contemporary Birth Weight Percentiles.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the estimated fetal weight (EFW) formula and threshold for the optimal prediction of fetal growth restriction (FGR) at 26-34 weeks' in fetuses with gastroschisis. METHODS: Late second and third trimester ultrasound data were used to calculate the EFW utilizing eight different formulas: Hadlock I-IV, Honarvar, Shepard, Siemer, and Warsof. EFW and birth weight percentiles were assigned from US population growth curves. FGR and small for gestational age (SGA) were defined as EFW and birth weight less than the tenth percentile for gestational age; Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare formula performance for FGR diagnosis at 26-34 weeks' to identify an SGA birth weight. RESULTS: There were 170 newborns with gastroschisis; 46 (27%) were SGA. The mean gestational age at the time of ultrasound was 30.8 ± 1.7 weeks. The mean gestational age at birth was 36.3 ± 1.7 weeks. ROC curve analysis found the Hadlock III formula had the largest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.813 closely followed by Hadlock IV (AUC = 0.811) and Hadlock II (AUC = 0.808) for diagnosis of FGR correlating to neonatal SGA diagnosis. Hadlock II, Hadlock III, and Hadlock IV had the highest diagnostic accuracies when compared to the other EFW formulas. CONCLUSIONS: The Hadlock II, Hadlock III, and Hadlock IV formulas have comparable predictive performance in the optimal identification of FGR in fetuses with gastroschisis at 26-34 weeks'. A threshold of an EFW less than the 25.2th percentile is suggested.

Resultados materno y perinatal de pacientes con diagnóstico prenatal de gastrosquisis en un centro de Medellín / Maternal and perinatal outcomes of patients with prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis in a center in Medellin

Objetivo: Describir los resultados maternos y perinatales de pacientes con diagnóstico prenatal de gastrosquisis atendidos en un centro de referencia obstétrica de Medellín. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo, llevado a cabo en la Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana en fetos con diagnóstico prenatal de gastrosquisis desde el 1 de enero de 2010 hasta el 31 de julio de 2021. Resultados: Se identificaron 54 gestantes con diagnóstico prenatal de gastrosquisis. En el 63% era su primer embarazo y el 27,8% eran adolescentes. La duración promedio de la gestación fue de 35 semanas y 6 días. La cesárea fue la vía más común (98,1%) y la indicación más frecuente fue sufrimiento de asa 66,7%. El 55,6% de los neonatos requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica para el cierre de la pared abdominal. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron anemia (66,7%) e íleo posoperatorio (72,2%). La mortalidad fue del 13%. Conclusiones: Se evidencian algunas características similares a las reportadas en otras series. La mayor presentación fue en primer embarazo, la causa de finalización de la gestación fue sufrimiento de asas (demostrando la importancia del seguimiento ecográfico), y las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron anemia e íleo posoperatorio presentados por la prematuridad. La mortalidad comparada con la de otras instituciones locales fue menor.

Objective: To describe the outcomes of maternal and perinatal in patients diagnosed with prenatal gastroschisis that received medical care at an obstetric reference center in Medellin. Method: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study in fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis performed in the Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana between January 1st 2010 and July 31st 2021. Results: Were included 54 pregnant women with prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis. The 63% were their first pregnancy and 27,8% were adolescents. The average duration of gestation was 35 weeks and 6 days. Cesarean section was the most common way of delivery (98,1%) and the most frequent indication was suffering from loop (66,7%). The 55,6% of neonates required more than one surgical intervention for closure of the abdominal wall. The most frequent complications were anemia (66,7%) and postoperative ileus (72,2%). A mortality of 13% was presented. Conclusions: Some characteristics like reported in other series are evident. The greatest presentation was in the first pregnancy, the cause of termination of pregnancy was suffering from loops (demonstrating the importance of ultrasound monitoring) and the most frequent complications were anemia and postoperative ileus presented by prematurity. Mortality, compared to other local institutions, was lower.

Can fetal magnetic resonance imaging aid prognosis in gastroschisis: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution and impact of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in managing fetal gastroschisis. METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective study of gastroschisis patients at three fetal medicine centers from 2008 to 2019. The primary endpoint was the number of cases in which the MRI provided relevant information related to gastroschisis. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients were included, and our study group included 38 patients who underwent MRI. For the eight patients with suspected gastroschisis, MRI confirmed the diagnosis. In six cases, it provided additional relevant information (spiral turn, intestine ischemia, and bowel size discrepancy). For the 17 patients with ultrasound signs of additional gastrointestinal anomalies, MRI detected one case of unidentified complex gastroschisis on sonography. For the 13 patients undergoing routine MRI, no significant information was obtained. One termination of pregnancy and one fetoscopy were performed a few days after the MRI results. There was no subsequent follow-up or additional bowel complications to support management. CONCLUSION: Although MRI did not change the management of pregnancies complicated by fetal gastroschisis, patients presenting with fetal gastroschisis with intraabdominal bowel dilatation could benefit from MRI to allow for more precise prenatal counseling to predict postnatal intestinal complications before birth.

Prenatal ultrasonographic markers for prediction of complex gastroschisis and adverse perinatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to perform a meta-analysis of the predictive value of antenatal ultrasonographic markers of bowel dilation, gastric dilation, polyhydramnios and abdominal circumference that predict complex gastroschisis and adverse perinatal outcomes DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase were searched for relevant articles up to December 2020. Studies reporting prenatal ultrasonographic markers including intra-abdominal bowel dilation (IABD), extra-abdominal bowel dilation (EABD), bowel wall thickness, polyhydramnios, abdominal circumference <5th percentile, gastric dilation (GD) and bowel dilation not otherwise specified (BD-NOS) were included. The primary outcome was prediction of complex gastroschisis; secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay for newborn, time to full enteral feeding, postnatal mortality rate, incidence of necrotising enterocolitis and short bowel syndrome. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies were included in this meta-analysis. We found significant associations between complex gastroschisis and IABD (OR=5.42; 95% CI 3.24 to 9.06), EABD (OR=2.27; 95% CI 1.40 to 3.66), BD-NOS (OR=6.27; 95% CI 1.97 to 19.97), GD (OR=1.88; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.92) and polyhydramnios (OR=6.93; 95% CI 3.39 to 14.18). Second trimester IABD and EABD have greater specificity for the prediction of complex gastroschisis than third trimester values with specificity of 95.6% (95% CI 58.1 to 99.7) and 94.6% (95% CI 86.7 to 97.9) for the second trimester IABD and EABD, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prenatal ultrasonographic markers, especially the second trimester IABD and EABD, can identify fetuses that develop complex gastroschisis. Furthermore, these specific ultrasonographic markers can identify those babies at the highest risk for severe complications of this congenital anomaly and hence selected for future antenatal interventions.

Closed Gastroschisis: A Rare Abdominal Wall Defect.

Gastroschisis is a rare congenital abdominal wall defect characterized by intestinal evisceration to the right of the umbilical stalk. In less than 6% of cases, the fascial defect closes around the herniated viscera in utero. The mechanism of fascial closure in these cases is unknown; however, the tourniquet effect on the mesenteric vasculature is thought to lead to intestinal atresia and midgut infarction. We report a case of a female neonate with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis who was found to have a closed defect at the time of delivery. She required emergent operation for symptoms of intestinal obstruction and bowel ischemia.

Prediction of complex gastroschisis: The evolution of therapeutic techniques and their relation with fetal sonographic features.

BACKGROUND: To analyze prenatal ultrasound (US) markers to predict treatment and adverse neonatal outcome in fetal gastroschisis. METHODS: It was conducted a retrospective single-center study considering all pregnancies with isolated gastroschisis that were treated in our department between 2008 and 2020. 17 US markers were analyzed. Moreover, the association between prenatal ultrasound signs and neonatal outcomes was analyzed: need of bowel resection, techniques of reduction, type of closure, adverse neonatal outcomes, time to full enteral feeding, length of total parenteral nutrition and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: The analysis included 21 cases. We found significant associations between intestinal dilation (≥10 mm) appeared before 30 weeks of gestation and the need of bowel resection (p = 0.001), the length of total parenteral nutrition (p = 0,0013) and the length of hospitalization (p = 0,0017). Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for serial reduction (p = 0,035). There were no signs significantly associated with the type of closure. Hyperbilirubinemia is related with gestational age (GA) at the diagnosis of intra-abdominal bowel dilation (IABD) (p = 0.0376) and maximum IABD (p = 0.05). All newborns with sepsis had echogenic loops in uterus (p = 0.026). The relation between the GA at delivery and the GA at the extra-abdominal bowel dilation (EABD)≥10 mm was r = 0.70. CONCLUSION: We showed the significant role of the early presence of bowel dilation in predicting intestinal resection and adverse outcomes. All IUGR fetuses needed staged reduction through the silo-bag technique. The echogenic bowel was related to neonatal sepsis, while IABD was associated with hyperbilirubinemia.

Gastroschisis or exomphalos? An unusual abdominal defect.

A baby with an antenatal diagnosis of exomphalos was born at term. The abnormality had a highly unusual appearance, a right-sided paraumbilical defect, similar to gastroschisis, but with a sac typical of exomphalos containing both abdominal contents and over 1 L of serosanguinous fluid. The sac was drained and suspended from the top of the incubator in silo fashion. Definitive closure was achieved at day 3 of life, and the patient had a non-eventful recovery. Despite exomphalos and gastroschisis normally being discrete entities, ambiguity in the presentation this case necessitated a composite management approach.

Left congenital diaphragmatic hernia and gastroschisis in a term male infant.

A term male infant was born to a healthy 24-year-old mother with antenatally diagnosed liver-up, left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and gastroschisis. The infant was stabilised in the neonatal intensive care unit and then underwent primary repair of the CDH via left subcostal incision and silo placement for the gastroschisis. Serial silo reductions were started postoperatively and umbilical flap closure for the gastroschisis was performed on day of life 6. The patient was weaned from respiratory support, started on enteral feeds, and discharged home at 1 month of age. He was weaned from supplemental nasogastric feeds by 6 weeks of age and is currently well and thriving at 11 months of age.

Interval growth across gestation in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND: Gastroschisis is often complicated by fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, and prolonged neonatal hospitalization. Prenatal management and delivery decisions are often based on estimated fetal weight and interval growth; however, appropriate interval growth from week to week across gestation for these fetuses is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the median increase in overall estimated fetal weight and individual biometric measurements across each week of gestation in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis and to assess whether lower in utero fetal weight gain is predictive of postnatal growth or adverse neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with gastroschisis evaluated at 5 institutions of the University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium from December 2014 to December 2019. The inclusion criteria were prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis with at least 1 ultrasound performed at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution. Estimated fetal weight and individual biometric measurements were recorded for each ultrasound performed at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution from the time of gastroschisis diagnosis to delivery. Median estimated fetal weight and biometric measurements were calculated for each gestational age in 1-week increments. Neonatal outcomes collected were birthweight, length of stay, complications of gastroschisis (bowel atresia, bowel stricture, ischemic bowel before closure, or severe pulmonary hypoplasia), and growth failure at discharge. RESULTS: We identified 95 pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis who, in aggregate, had 360 growth ultrasounds at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution. The median interval growth was 130 g/wk. The median estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference in fetal gastroschisis cases were approximately the tenth percentile on the Hadlock growth curve across gestation. Moreover, the median biparietal diameter, head circumference, and femur length measurements remained below the 50th percentile on the Hadlock growth curve across gestation. The median birthweight for neonates with less than the median weekly prenatal weight gain was less than for those with greater than the median weekly prenatal weight gain (2185 g vs 2780 g; P<.01). There was no difference in prenatal weight gain trajectory when comparing neonates who had or did not have bowel complications of gastroschisis. CONCLUSION: In this multicenter cohort of pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis, the median interval growth was 130 g/wk, and overall, in utero growth closely followed the tenth percentile on the Hadlock curve. Poor prenatal growth in cases of fetal gastroschisis correlates with lower neonatal weights but did not predict a more complicated course.

Is fetal magnetic resonance imaging volumetry of eventrated organs in gastroschisis predictive for surgical treatment?

BACKGROUND: Fetal MRI is increasingly used in congenital abdominal wall defects. In gastroschisis, the role of fetal MRI in surgical therapy is poorly understood. Currently, the type of repair is determined primarily by clinical presentation and institutional preference. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of fetal MRI volumetry in gastroschisis treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 22 cases of gastroschisis in this retrospective single-center study. Routine fetal MRI scans were acquired between Jan. 1, 2006, and July 1, 2018, at gestational ages of 19-34 postmenstrual weeks. Fetal-MRI-based manual segmentation and volumetry were performed utilizing steady-state free precision and T2-weighted sequences. Acquired parameters included intraabdominal volume, eventrated organ volume and total fetal body volume, and we calculated a volume ratio between eventrated organ volume and intraabdominal volume (E/I ratio). RESULTS: Primary closure was conducted in 13 cases and silo bag treatment with delayed closure in 9 cases. Prenatal MRI volumetry showed a significantly higher E/I ratio in patients with silo bag treatment with delayed closure (mean [M]=0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30, 0.40) than in primary closure (M=0.23, 95% CI 0.19, 0.27; P=0.004). We propose a volume ratio cutoff value of 0.27 for predicting silo bag treatment. CONCLUSION: Fetal MRI predicted silo bag treatment in patients with gastroschisis in 90% of the cases in our cohort and might facilitate prenatal counseling and treatment planning.

Identifying prenatal ultrasound predictors and the ideal neonatal management of closing gastroschisis: the key is prevention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the optimal approaches to initial surgical management and the potential for prenatal ultrasound detection of patients with closing gastroschisis. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients born with gastroschisis to determine clinical and surgical outcomes and the ability to determine prognosis by prenatal imaging. Data collected included operative findings and postoperative outcome, as well as prenatal imaging features from a subset of cases with and without closing gastroschisis. Statistical analyses were performed as appropriate. RESULTS: We included 197 patients with gastroschisis. No statistical significance was seen in outcomes between closing gastroschisis patients undergoing resection versus intracorporeal parking (n = 18). Ultrasound review was performed on 33 of these patients, 11 with closing gastroschisis, and 22 without. Significantly more closing gastroschisis patients had imaging indicative of progressive defect narrowing and defect diameter ≤8 mm after 30 weeks of gestation versus non-closing patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Parking of extruded bowel offers potential for intestinal remodeling. In addition, prenatal ultrasound may be useful in detection of closing gastroschisis in utero.

Challenge of diagnosing splenic torsion in a paediatric patient with gastroschisis.

Gastroschisis is an uncommon congenital defect of the abdominal wall resulting in intestinal prolapse, most commonly associated with short gut syndrome or bowel obstruction. Wandering spleen, movement of the spleen due to the underdevelopment of splenic ligaments, has a prevalence of 0.25% and is asymptomatic in 15% of paediatric cases. An 11-year-old patient, admitted with a history of gastroschisis repaired at birth, presents with 18 months of intermittent, worsening abdominal pain. Imaging demonstrated splenomegaly and tortuosity of the splenic vein with abnormal positioning of the superior mesenteric artery and vein. The patient was found to have a wandering spleen with subacute splenic infarct secondary to splenic torsion, necessitating emergent surgical intervention. This patient experienced an extremely rare complication of gastroschisis that has not previously been reported. This complication is caused by a lack of appropriate abdominal fixation points for the spleen.

Development of a prenatal clinical care pathway for uncomplicated gastroschisis and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect wherein the bowel is herniated into the amniotic fluid. Controversy exists regarding optimal prenatal surveillance strategies that predict fetal well-being and help guide timing of delivery. Our objective was to develop a clinical care pathway for prenatal management of uncomplicated gastroschisis at our institution. METHODS: We performed a review of literature from January 1996 to May 2017 to evaluate prenatal ultrasound (US) markers and surveillance strategies that help determine timing of delivery and optimize outcomes in fetal gastroschisis. RESULTS: A total 63 relevant articles were identified. We found that among the US markers, intraabdominal bowel dilatation, polyhydramnios, and gastric dilatation are potentially associated with postnatal complications. Prenatal surveillance strategy with monthly US starting at 28weeks of gestational age (wGA) and twice weekly non-stress testing beginning at 32wGA is recommended to optimize fetal wellbeing. Timing of delivery should be based on obstetric indications and elective preterm delivery prior to 37wGA is not indicated. CONCLUSIONS: Close prenatal surveillance of fetal gastroschisis is necessary due to the high risk for adverse outcomes including intrauterine fetal demise in the third trimester. Decisions regarding the timing of delivery should take into consideration the additional prematurity-associated morbidity.