Examination of Prenatal Sonographic Findings: Intra-Abdominal Bowel Dilation Predicts Poor Gastroschisis Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Gastroschisis is an anterior abdominal wall defect with variable outcomes. There are conflicting data regarding the prognostic value of sonographic findings. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify prenatal ultrasonographic features associated with poor neonatal outcomes. Method: A retrospective review of 55 patients with gastroschisis from 2007 to 2017 was completed. Ultrasounds were reviewed for extra-abdominal intestinal diameter (EAID) and intra-abdominal intestinal diameter (IAID), echogenicity, visceral content within the herniation, amniotic fluid index, defect size, and abdominal circumference (AC). Ultrasound variables were correlated with full enteral feeding and the diagnosis of a complex gastroschisis. Results: Bivariate analysis demonstrated an increased time to full enteral feeds with increasing number of surgeries, EAID, and IAID. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between IAID and AC percentile with the diagnosis of complex gastroschisis. On multivariate analysis, only IAID was significant and increasing diameter had a 2.82 (95% CI 1.02–7.78) higher odds of a longer time to full enteral feeds and a 1.2 (95% CI 1.05–1.36) greater odds of the diagnosis of a complex gastroschisis. Conclusions: Based on these findings, IAID is associated with a longer time to full enteral feeding and the diagnosis of complex gastroschisis.