Prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis on ultrasonography

Abstract

Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect resulting from ischemia to blood vessels that supply the abdominal wall during the first trimester of pregnancy. The injury results in an opening in the abdominal wall that allows the abdominal contents, most often intestines and stomach, to develop outside the abdominal cavity. Early antenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis allows parental counseling regarding prognosis and optimizes management through a multidisciplinary approach.