Prenatal diagnosis of fetal gastroschisis – The experience of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Centre in Olsztyn

Abstract

Gastroschisis represents a congenital malformation of the anterior abdominal wall. It is a defect characterized by protrusion of the abdominal viscera through the full-thickness abdominal defect (peritoneum, muscle, fascia and skin). Diagnosis of gastroschisis can be made as early as the first trimester and routinely in the second trimester by fetal ultrasound. Prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis is important because it enables rapid and appropriate management both during pregnancy and after delivery. The aim of this work is a retrospective analysis of fetal gastroschisis diagnosed in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Centre in the years 1998–2011. The analysis included 35 cases of fetal gastroschisis diagnosed in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Centre in the years 1998–2011. The most numerous group of pregnant women, whose fetuses were diagnosed with gastroschisis, were young women below 35 years of age, more frequently residents of rural than urban areas, in most cases primiparas. Herniated contents most often contained small and large intestine. In 60% of fetal gastroschisis no complications were observed during pregnancy. Early diagnosis seems to be of particular importance, as it allows monitoring for potential complications of gastroschisis, which may affect prompt decisions of elective preterm delivery, delivery at a referral center, and hence the possibility of preparing neonatal and pediatric surgical team.