Doctronic Statamic

Understanding Gastroschisis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Gastroschisis is a rare condition where a baby develops with a hole in their belly, usually on one side of the belly button. This opening allows the baby's intestines, and sometimes other organs like the stomach and liver, to grow outside of their body. While this condition can be frightening for parents, most babies with gastroschisis do well after surgical repair.

Causes of Gastroschisis

The exact cause of gastroschisis is unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of factors, including:

  • Changes in the baby's genes or chromosomes

  • Low blood flow to the baby's digestive system

  • Younger maternal age during pregnancy, especially in teenage mothers

  • Certain medications or drugs taken during pregnancy

  • Alcohol consumption during pregnancy

  • Smoking, particularly early in pregnancy

  • Genitourinary infections like UTIs around the time of conception

  • Low maternal body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy

Diagnosing Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is usually diagnosed during routine prenatal screening tests between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. These tests may include:

  • Maternal blood screening (quad screen) to measure alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels

  • Ultrasound to visualize the baby's organs outside the belly

  • Fetal echocardiogram to check for heart problems

  • MRI to get a detailed image of the baby's anatomy

How Gastroschisis Affects Pregnancy and the Baby

If your baby is diagnosed with gastroschisis, you will need extra monitoring throughout your pregnancy. Your healthcare team may include specialists such as a maternal-fetal medicine doctor, neonatologist, pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, and pediatric surgeon. Additional tests, such as frequent ultrasounds, fetal movement counting, and nonstress tests, may be recommended to closely monitor your baby's growth and well-being.

Babies with gastroschisis may face challenges such as:

  • Twisting and swelling of the intestines

  • Low birth weight

  • Difficulty feeding and digesting food

  • Trouble absorbing nutrients

  • Increased risk of stillbirth (rare)

Treatment for Gastroschisis

Treatment for gastroschisis involves surgical repair shortly after birth. The type of surgery depends on the severity of the condition and the extent of organ involvement. The two main surgical options are:

  1. Primary repair: For less severe cases, the organs are placed back inside the belly, and the opening is closed immediately after birth.

  2. Staged repair: For more complex cases, the exposed organs are gradually returned to the belly over several days using a plastic silo bag, followed by surgical closure of the abdominal wall.

After surgery, your baby may need assistance with breathing and feeding while their digestive system heals. They may require a prolonged hospital stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Preventing Gastroschisis

While not all cases of gastroschisis can be prevented, you can take steps to reduce your risk:

  • Avoid smoking, alcohol, and opioid painkillers during pregnancy

  • Eat a balanced, nutritious diet

  • Attend regular prenatal check-ups

If your baby is diagnosed with gastroschisis, remember that with proper medical care and surgical treatment, most babies go on to live healthy lives. Work closely with your healthcare team to ensure the best possible outcome for your little one.

For more information on gastroschisis, visit:

Related Articles