Trends in Mode of Delivery for Gastroschisis Infants

Abstract

Cesarean delivery for infants with gastroschisis has not been clearly demonstrated to produce superior outcomes compared with vaginal delivery; however, it not clear whether this has been translated into common clinical practice. Therefore, we analyzed the shifts in type of delivery during the last three decades at our institution. The medical records of all infants with gastroschisis treated at our hospital during the last 33 years were reviewed. Two groups, based on mode of delivery, were compared with regard to demographics, treatment, and outcome. A statistical analysis of changes in type of delivery was performed, and compared with the neonatal population as a whole. A total of 222 patients with gastroschisis were analyzed: 103 delivered via cesarean section and 119 delivered via vaginal birth. Logistic regression demonstrated a significant trend toward cesarean delivery over time (p=0.0001). The odds ratio indicated a 16% per year increase in the chance of cesarean delivery. There has been a significant trend toward cesarean delivery in patients with gastroschisis treated at our institution.