Fetal Gastroschisis Research Articles

Association Between Self-Reported Infections and Seropositivity Among Pregnant Women With Gastroschisis: A Case Control Study, With Emphasis on Chlamydia trachomatis.

Gastroschisis is a birth defect with the greatest risk among women <20 years of age. Pregnant women attending the University of Utah's Maternal-Fetal Medicine Diagnostic Center between 2011 and 2017 for either their routine diagnostic ultrasound or referral were recruited (cases: pregnant women with fetal gastroschisis, n = 53 participated/57, 93%; controls: pregnant women without fetal abnormalities, n = 102 participated/120, 85%). A clinic coordinator consented and interviewed women and obtained a blood sample and prenatal medical records. We evaluated self-reported maternal characteristics, risk factors, and infections. To assess pathogen seropositivity we used Serimmune's Serum Epitope Repertoire Analysis validated 35 pathogen panels and Chlamydia trachomatis and compared seropositivity to self-report and prenatal medical record screening to assess sensitivity. Cases were more likely to report a younger age at sexual debut (p = <0.01), more sexual partners (p = 0.02), being unmarried (p < 0.01), changing partners between pregnancies (p = <0.01), smoking cigarettes (<0.01), and a recent sexually transmitted infection (STI) (p = 0.02). No differences were observed for self-report of illicit drug use or periconceptional urinary tract infections. Cases had a higher seropositivity for cytomegalovirus (p = 0.01). No differences were observed for herpes simplex I, II, or Epstein-Barr. Though based on small numbers, C. trachomatis seropositivity was highest in cases (17%) compared to controls (8.8%) with the highest proportion observed in case women <20 years of age (cases 33%; controls 0%). Any STI (self-report or seropositivity) was also highest among cases <20 years of age (cases 47%; controls 0%). Among C. trachomatis seropositive women, self-report and prenatal medical record sensitivity was 27.8% and 3%, respectively. Cases were more likely to engage in behaviors that can increase their risk of exposure to sexually transmitted pathogens. Case women <20 years of age had the highest proportion of C. trachomatis seropositivity and any STI. Prenatal medical records and self-report were inadequate to identify a recent chlamydial infection whereas, the SERA assay is a novel approach for evaluating subclinical infections that may impact the developing embryo.

Перспективи внутрішньоутробного лікування запальних змін евентрованих органів при гастрошизисі у плодів (огляд літератури)

Gastroschisis (GS) - is one of the most severe defects of newborns, which is characterized by congenital eventration of the abdominal organs outside the anterior abdominal wall into the amniotic fluid, due to a through defect of the anterior abdominal wall. The defect is adjacent to the normal, unaltered umbilical cord, usually to the right of the umbilicus, the umbilical ring is split, the eventrated organs are not covered by embryonic membranes or their remains. The frequency of gastroschisis is 0.31-4.72 per 10,000 births. Although, with the development of modern surgical approaches over the past 15 years, the mortality of newborns with gastroschisisis dynamically decreasing, however, this pathology remains a significant problem in neonatal and pediatric surgery, as it requires early surgery, associated with a significant risk of disability in children due to short bowel syndrome, abdominal cancer and recurrent esophageal disease, adhesive intestinal obstruction, etc. Purpose - to analyze, according to the literature, the prospects for the use of cellular technologies for the in utero treatment of inflammatory changes in the enteric organs in fetal GS in experimental conditions. The main reason for the unsatisfactory results of GS treatment is the pathological changes of the eventrated organs and their consequences. Therefore one of the ways to reduce mortality in GS is intrauterine treatment and the prevention of inflammatory changes of the eventrated organs in the fetuses. Modern regenerative medicine offers several new approaches for the treatment of fetal malformations, including the use of cell technology. Stem cells, from various sources, are one of the alternative therapies that can inhibit inflammatory processes in tissues, activate endogenous reparative mechanisms, and, ultimately, together with the implementation of preventive measures, reduce perinatal mortality and disability. The availability of domestic cell drugs, the development of technologies for their transplantation, and methods of delivery of pregnant women with GS in the fetus, with proven clinical efficacy, will significantly improve the comprehensive treatment of patients with congenital malformations, which is significant social and economic importance. Therefore, the study of regenerative potential and assessment of the prospects for the use of stem cells in obstetrics and perinatal medicine from various sources is of great scientific and practical interest. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): fetal cardiac screening.

ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): fetal cardiac screening.

Fetal Gastroschisis: Does Fetal Growth Restriction Correlate With Small for Gestational Age at Birth? [ID: 1375594

INTRODUCTION: Conflicting data exist regarding the optimal formula for calculating estimated fetal weight (EFW) in fetuses with gastroschisis. The widely used Hadlock formula includes abdominal circumference (AC) and may underestimate EFW, as fetuses with gastroschisis tend to have a smaller AC. We evaluated 1) correlation between EFW and birth weight (BW) and 2) agreement between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small for gestational age (SGA) in fetuses/neonates with gastroschisis. METHODS: This was an IRB-approved single-center retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center. Data were obtained from 2012 to 2021 and included singleton pregnancies with at least one growth ultrasound (US) performed by our center and neonate born at our center with confirmed gastroschisis. Pearson correlation was used to examine association between EFW and BW. Kappa statistic was used to examine agreement between FGR and SGA. RESULTS: Thirty-five maternal–neonatal pairs were included. There was a strong correlation between EFW on last growth US and BW (r=0.70, 95% CI [0.48, 0.84], P&lt;.001). There was disagreement between FGR on last US and SGA at birth (Kappa coefficient=0.11, 95% CI [0.00, 0.22], P&lt;.001) with 26 (74.3%) FGR fetuses, 5 (14.3%) of which were SGA neonates. CONCLUSION: Although EFW and BW were strongly correlated, less than one-fifth of fetuses diagnosed with FGR became neonates classified as SGA, suggesting that an EFW formula including AC overestimates FGR in fetuses with gastroschisis. Accurate estimation of EFW is necessary for antenatal testing, delivery planning, and avoiding unnecessary interventions. An alternative EFW formula could be considered for fetuses with gastroschisis.

Trends in Attempted Vaginal Delivery among Pregnancies Complicated by Gastroschisis, 2014 to 2020.

Gastroschisis is a full-thickness congenital defect of the abdominal wall through which intestines and other organs may herniate. In a prior analysis, attempted vaginal delivery with fetal gastroschisis appeared to increase through 2013, although cesarean delivery remained common. The objective of this analysis was to update current trends in attempted vaginal birth among pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis. We performed an updated cross-sectional analysis of live births from 2014 and 2020 using data from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System and evaluated trends in attempted vaginal deliveries among births with gastroschisis. Trends were evaluated using joinpoint regression. We constructed logistic regression models to evaluate the association between demographic and clinical variables and attempted vaginal delivery in the setting of gastroschisis. Among 5,355 deliveries with gastroschisis meeting inclusion criteria, attempted vaginal delivery increased significantly from 68.9% to 75.1%, an average annual percent change of 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8-2.5). Among gastroschisis-complicated pregnancies, patients 35 to 39 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.79) and Hispanic race/ethnicity (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.58-0.62) were at lower likelihood of attempted vaginal delivery in adjusted analyses. These findings suggest that vaginal delivery continues to increase in the setting of gastroschisis. Further reduction of surgical delivery for this fetal defect may be possible. · Vaginal deliveries increased among gastroschisis pregnancies.. · Hispanic patients were less likely to attempt vaginal delivery.. · Some gastroschisis pregnancies still deliver surgically..

Can fetal magnetic resonance imaging aid prognosis in gastroschisis: A multicenter study.

To assess the contribution and impact of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in managing fetal gastroschisis. We conducted an observational retrospective study of gastroschisis patients at three fetal medicine centers from 2008 to 2019. The primary endpoint was the number of cases in which the MRI provided relevant information related to gastroschisis. A total of 189 patients were included, and our study group included 38 patients who underwent MRI. For the eight patients with suspected gastroschisis, MRI confirmed the diagnosis. In six cases, it provided additional relevant information (spiral turn, intestine ischemia, and bowel size discrepancy). For the 17 patients with ultrasound signs of additional gastrointestinal anomalies, MRI detected one case of unidentified complex gastroschisis on sonography. For the 13 patients undergoing routine MRI, no significant information was obtained. One termination of pregnancy and one fetoscopy were performed a few days after the MRI results. There was no subsequent follow-up or additional bowel complications to support management. Although MRI did not change the management of pregnancies complicated by fetal gastroschisis, patients presenting with fetal gastroschisis with intraabdominal bowel dilatation could benefit from MRI to allow for more precise prenatal counseling to predict postnatal intestinal complications before birth.

Prediction of complex gastroschisis: The evolution of therapeutic techniques and their relation with fetal sonographic features

To analyze prenatal ultrasound (US) markers to predict treatment and adverse neonatal outcome in fetal gastroschisis. It was conducted a retrospective single-center study considering all pregnancies with isolated gastroschisis that were treated in our department between 2008 and 2020. 17 US markers were analyzed. Moreover, the association between prenatal ultrasound signs and neonatal outcomes was analyzed: need of bowel resection, techniques of reduction, type of closure, adverse neonatal outcomes, time to full enteral feeding, length of total parenteral nutrition and length of hospitalization. The analysis included 21 cases. We found significant associations between intestinal dilation (≥10 mm) appeared before 30 weeks of gestation and the need of bowel resection (p = 0.001), the length of total parenteral nutrition (p = 0,0013) and the length of hospitalization (p = 0,0017). Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for serial reduction (p = 0,035). There were no signs significantly associated with the type of closure. Hyperbilirubinemia is related with gestational age (GA) at the diagnosis of intra-abdominal bowel dilation (IABD) (p = 0.0376) and maximum IABD (p = 0.05). All newborns with sepsis had echogenic loops in uterus (p = 0.026). The relation between the GA at delivery and the GA at the extra-abdominal bowel dilation (EABD)≥10 mm was r = 0.70. We showed the significant role of the early presence of bowel dilation in predicting intestinal resection and adverse outcomes. All IUGR fetuses needed staged reduction through the silo-bag technique. The echogenic bowel was related to neonatal sepsis, while IABD was associated with hyperbilirubinemia.

Comparison of Perinatal Outcomes between Patients with Suspected Complex and Simple Gastroschisis.

The aim of this study was to compare perinatal outcomes between patients with and without prenatal ultrasound markers predictive of complex gastroschisis. A prospective cohort of 98 patients with isolated fetal gastroschisis underwent antenatal ultrasound and delivered in a tertiary referral center. Patients were classified according to eight ultrasonographic markers predictive of complexity, and perinatal outcomes were assessed accordingly. The primary outcome was the presence of fetal growth restriction and staged SILO reduction postnatally. RESULTS: Of all fetuses, 54.1% (n = 53) displayed ultrasonographic markers predictive of complexity at 32.7 ± 4.3 weeks of gestation. Gastric dilatation was the most frequent marker followed by extra-abdominal bowel dilatation. The presence of ultrasound markers predictive of complexity, was not associated with fetal growth restriction but its absence was less associated with staged SILO reduction of the abdominal wall postnatally with a relative risk of 0.79 (CI 95% 0.17-0.53). Fetuses with ultrasound markers that predict complexity were not associated with fetal growth restriction, but its absence was less associated with staged SILO reduction of the abdominal wall postnatally. It is necessary to unify criteria, establish cut-off points, and the optimal moment to measure these markers. · The association between ultrasound markers and adverse perinatal outcomes in fetuses with gastroschisis remain controversial.. · The absence of ultrasound markers that predict complexity was less associated with staged SILO reduction postnatally.. · It is necessary to unify criteria, establish cut-off points, and the optimal moment to measure these markers..

MAIN PRINCIPLES OF ETIOPATHOGENETIC TREATMENT OF NEWBORNS WITH GASTROSCHISIS

Introduction. The paper focuses on the challenging issue of treatment of newborns with gastroschisis (GS) and a high level of intraabdominal hypertension in case of severe viscero-abdominal disproportion. The aim of the paper is to present the current state of the problem at the regional level based on our own clinical experience in observation and treatment of newborns with GS. Material and methods. The study is based on the analysis of examination and treatment of 29 newbornswith GS. The distribution of boys and girls was nearly the same: 16 (55.17%) boys and 13 (44.83%) girls. The number of premature babies was 23 (79.31%). The complex of diagnostic procedures included clinical laboratory examination, radiologic investigation (using contrast agents when required), ultrasound investigation and Doppler sonography, intraabdominal pressure measurement, histologic study of surgical specimens.Results. Prenatal information on the congenital anterior abdominal wall defect was obtained with the help of prenatal ultrasound. In most cases, fetal GS is diagnosed before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Prenatal ultrasound was performed in 13 (44.83%) pregnant women out of the researched group. Two false test results were obtained.Radiologic investigation of a child with GS is necessary to detect intestinal obstruction, necrosis or bowel perforation. Among patients under our study, two cases of ileal atresia were registered. The analysis of intraabdominal pressure indices in patients with GS showed a high level of intraabdominal hypertension in approximately 70% of cases. It proves that patients with GS have a high level of surgical and anesthetic risk. The main therapy measures include the following steps: appropriate preoperative preparation, anesthetic management, and the choice of appropriate perioperative techniques taking into account the level of intraabdominal hypertension and viscero-abdominal disproportion.Depending on the child's condition, type of GS and level of intraabdominal hypertension, there were twosurgical options:1. Primary radical surgery.2. Staged surgical treatment.Analyzing the results of the study, it may be noted that 8 newborns in total died after the surgery, which is 27.59%(it used to be 56-60% till 2005). The main causes of death were respiratory failure, neonatal sepsis and unfavorable premorbid conditions (very low gestational age, severe comorbidity, multiple congenital malformations).Conclusions. 1. Successful treatment of newborns with GS depends on the early diagnosis of the pathology, which must be prenatal, and elimination of contradictions in treatment tactics. 2. Before suturing the abdominal wall defect in newborns with GS, it is necessary to measure intraabdominal pressure, since intraabdominal hypertension leads to a significant deterioration in the mechanical properties of the lungs, hemodynamic abnormalities,oliguria, intestinal ischemia, decrease in organ perfusion, which must be taken into account when carrying out preoperative preparation and aesthetic management. 3. The level of intraabdominal hypertension in patients with GS,which is high in 68.96% of cases, must be an indication for choosing the method of surgical correction of the defect i.e.the refusal of radical plasty of the abdominal wall and the resort to staged intervention or other surgical techniquesthat involve an increase in the abdominal cavity volume. 4. The reduction in mortality in newborns with GS to 27.59%is possible due to the introduction of etiopathogenetic approaches to early diagnosis, preoperative management, anesthetic management and surgical correction of this pathology into the practice of neonatal surgery.

Individualized growth assessment in pregnancies complicated by fetal gastroschisis

Objective Prenatal ultrasound (US) has been shown to overestimate the incidence of suspected fetal growth restriction (FGR) in gastroschisis cases. This is largely because of altered sonographic abdominal circumference (AC) measurements when comparing gastroschisis cases with population nomograms. Individualized Growth Assessment (IGA) evaluates fetal growth using serial US measurements that allow consideration of the growth potential for a given case. Our goal was to assess the utility of IGA for distinguishing normal and pathological fetal growth in gastroschisis cases. Study design Pregnancies with prenatally diagnosed fetal gastroschisis were managed and delivered at a single academic medical center. US fetal biometry including head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur diaphysis length (FDL), and neonatal measurements including birthweight and HC were collected and analyzed for 32 consecutive fetal gastroschisis cases with at least two 2nd and two 3rd trimester measurements. Second trimester growth velocities were compared to a group of 118 non-anomalous fetuses with normal neonatal growth outcomes. Gastroschisis cases were classified into groups based on fetal growth pathology score (FGPS9) patterns. Agreement between IGA (FGPS9) and serial conventional estimated fetal weight (EFW) measurements for determining growth pathology was evaluated. Neonatal size outcomes were compared between conventional birthweight classifications for determining small for gestational age (SGA) and IGA Growth Potential Realization Index (GPRI) for weight and head circumference measurements. Results Fetal growth pathology score (FGPS9) measurements identified three in-utero growth patterns: no growth pathology, growth restriction and recovery, and progressive growth restriction. In the no growth pathology group (n = 19), there was 84% agreement between IGA and conventional methods in determining pathological growth in both the 3rd trimester and at birth. In the growth restriction and recovery group (n = 7), there was 71% agreement both in the 3rd trimester and at birth between IGA and conventional methods. In the progressive growth restriction group (n = 5), there was 100% agreement in the 3rd trimester and 60% agreement at birth between IGA and conventional methods. Conclusion We present the first study using IGA to evaluate normal and pathological fetal growth in prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis cases. IGA was able to delineate two 3rd trimester growth pathology patterns – one with persistent growth restriction and another with in-utero growth recovery. Further validation of these initial findings with larger cohorts is warranted.

Interval growth across gestation in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is often complicated by fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, and prolonged neonatal hospitalization. Prenatal management and delivery decisions are often based on estimated fetal weight and interval growth; however, appropriate interval growth from week to week across gestation for these fetuses is poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the median increase in overall estimated fetal weight and individual biometric measurements across each week of gestation in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis and to assess whether lower in utero fetal weight gain is predictive of postnatal growth or adverse neonatal outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with gastroschisis evaluated at 5 institutions of the University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium from December 2014 to December 2019. The inclusion criteria were prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis with at least 1 ultrasound performed at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution. Estimated fetal weight and individual biometric measurements were recorded for each ultrasound performed at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution from the time of gastroschisis diagnosis to delivery. Median estimated fetal weight and biometric measurements were calculated for each gestational age in 1-week increments. Neonatal outcomes collected were birthweight, length of stay, complications of gastroschisis (bowel atresia, bowel stricture, ischemic bowel before closure, or severe pulmonary hypoplasia), and growth failure at discharge. We identified 95 pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis who, in aggregate, had 360 growth ultrasounds at a University of California Fetal-Maternal Consortium institution. The median interval growth was 130 g/wk. The median estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference in fetal gastroschisis cases were approximately the tenth percentile on the Hadlock growth curve across gestation. Moreover, the median biparietal diameter, head circumference, and femur length measurements remained below the 50th percentile on the Hadlock growth curve across gestation. The median birthweight for neonates with less than the median weekly prenatal weight gain was less than for those with greater than the median weekly prenatal weight gain (2185 g vs 2780 g; P<.01). There was no difference in prenatal weight gain trajectory when comparing neonates who had or did not have bowel complications of gastroschisis. In this multicenter cohort of pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis, the median interval growth was 130 g/wk, and overall, in utero growth closely followed the tenth percentile on the Hadlock curve. Poor prenatal growth in cases of fetal gastroschisis correlates with lower neonatal weights but did not predict a more complicated course.

354 Sonographic bowel findings among fetuses with gastroschisis do not predict antenatal and delivery outcomes

Among fetuses with gastroschisis, data are conflicting regarding antenatal sonographic bowel findings and postnatal outcomes. At our institution, we perform weekly ultrasounds at 32 weeks for all gastroschisis pregnancies. Our study examined the association of sonographic bowel measurements in fetal gastroschisis with antenatal and delivery outcomes. A single-institution, retrospective cohort study of 116 pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis delivered between 2011 and 2020. We reviewed ultrasounds documenting fetal bowel measurements including intra- and extra-abdominal bowel dilation, internal and external bowel wall thickness, and stomach cross-section. To evaluate the association of these measurements with antepartum and delivery outcomes, we ran logistic and linear models using generalized estimating equations to account for clustering across patients. Mean gestational age (GA) at delivery was 36.4 weeks with mean birthweight 2537g. 43% were delivered by Cesarean, with 73% undergoing induction of labor. Mean GA of NST start was 31.2 weeks, and 32% of patients had an NST abnormality that led to delivery. Several perinatal outcomes reached statistical significance, however with negligible clinical impact. Intra-abdominal bowel dilation was associated with 0.05 week decrease in delivery GA (95% CI -0.07, -0.03). Intra-abdominal bowel wall thickness was associated with a 0.22 week increase in GA of NST start (95% CI 0.07, 0.37), 0.08 week difference in GA at delivery (95% CI 0.02, 0.15), 0.26 increase in umbilical artery base deficit (95% CI 0.09, 0.43), and OR 0.83 (95% CI 0.7, 0.99) of Cesarean delivery. Extra-abdominal bowel dilation was not associated with any evaluated outcome. Extra-abdominal bowel wall thickness was associated with 0.1 increase in umbilical artery base deficit (95% CI 0.02, 0.19) and 0.05 increase in 5-min APGAR (95% CI 0.01, 0.09). In utero bowel findings for gastroschisis fetuses, while occasionally reaching statistical significance, were not associated with clinically significant differences in antenatal or delivery outcomes.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Gastroschisis: five cases after primary closure at Sanglah General Hospital, Bali, Indonesia

Background: Gastroschisis is a congenital anterior abdominal wall defect characterized by intra-abdominal organs evisceration without covering the membrane. Several risk factors affect the outcome of a gastroschisis patient. Considering these risk factors might also increase the chance of better prognosis and survival. We report five neonates with gastroschisis after primary closure in Sanglah General Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, in 2017. This case series aims to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of different babies with gastroschisis managed by primary closure surgery.Case Presentation: Four of our cases were detected during pregnancy with fetal gastroschisis at the age of 32, 19, 23, 25 weeks of gestation, respectively. We reserve cesarean delivery for the patient who did antenatal care in our hospital, but one of our patients was born by spontaneous labor due to lack of antenatal care. Four cases had the primary closure of less than 2 hours and one of them after 10 hours. Good outcome was found in three cases that started enteral feeding on the 7th day after post closure. Other cases started oral feeding on the 3rd day and 12th day—both of them shown poor outcomes. Three cases survive, but two others died because of sepsis.Conclusion: We found poor outcomes in both cases, which neonatal sepsis as a significant cause. One of our cases with poor outcome was referred from another hospital without antenatal care and had a long duration of entering the operating room. Diagnosing these babies in their early prenatal period and transferring them to an experienced medical centre containing multidisciplinary working facilities will contribute to both the mother and the baby's health.

VP09.24: Fetal gastroschisis: case report and literature review

VP09.24: Fetal gastroschisis: case report and literature review

Prenatal Prediction of Outcome by Fetal Gastroschisis in a Tertiary Referral Center.

The aim of this study was to find a prenatal parameter to be able to predict possible prenatal complications or postnatal surgical options, thus allowing the fetal medicine specialist, together with pediatric surgeons and neonatologists, to improve the counseling of the parents and to determine the timing of delivery and therapy. This was a retrospective analysis of prenatal diagnosis and outcome of fetuses with 34 cases of gastroschisis between the years 2007 and 2017. A total of 34 fetuses with gastroschisis were examined and 33 outcomes registered: 22 cases of simple gastroschisis (66.7%) and 11 cases of complex gastroschisis (33.3%). A cut-off value of 18 mm for intraabdominal bowel dilatation (IABD) showed a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% for predicting simple gastroschisis. IABD gives the best prediction for simple versus complex gastroschisis (cut-off of 18 mm). Extra-abdominal bowel dilatation (EABD) cut-off values of 10 mm and 18 mm showed low sensitivity and specificity to predict complex gastroschisis.

Ultrasound markers for prediction of complex gastroschisis and adverse outcome: longitudinal prospective nationwide cohort study

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo identify antenatal ultrasound markers that can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis and assess their predictive value.MethodsThis was a prospective nationwide study of pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis that underwent serial longitudinal ultrasound examination at regular specified intervals between 20 and 37 weeks' gestation. The primary outcome was simple or complex (i.e. involving bowel atresia, volvulus, perforation or necrosis) gastroschisis at birth. Fetal biometry (abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight), the occurrence of polyhydramnios, intra‐ and extra‐abdominal bowel diameters and the pulsatility index (PI) of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were assessed. Linear mixed modeling was used to compare the individual trajectories of cases with simple and those with complex gastroschisis, and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the strength of association between the ultrasound parameters and outcome.ResultsOf 104 pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis included, four ended in intrauterine death. Eighty‐one (81%) liveborn infants with simple and 19 (19%) with complex gastroschisis were included in the analysis. We found no relationship between fetal biometric variables and complex gastroschisis. The SMA‐PI was significantly lower in fetuses with gastroschisis than in healthy controls, but did not differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis. Both intra‐ and extra‐abdominal bowel diameters were larger in cases with complex, compared to those with simple, gastroschisis (P < 0.001 and P < 0.005, respectively). The presence of intra‐abdominal bowel diameter ≥ 97.7th percentile on at least three occasions, not necessarily on successive examinations, was associated with an increased risk of the fetus having complex gastroschisis (relative risk, 1.56 (95% CI, 1.02–2.10); P = 0.006; positive predictive value, 50.0%; negative predictive value, 81.4%).ConclusionsThis large prospective longitudinal study found that intra‐abdominal bowel dilatation when present repeatedly during fetal development can differentiate between simple and complex gastroschisis; however, the positive predictive value is low, and therefore the clinical usefulness of this marker is limited. © 2019 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Risk factors for gastroschisis: A case-control study in a Brazilian population.

To evaluate risk factors associated with fetal gastroschisis. As a secondary aim of a larger case-control study, pregnant women attending the Fetal Medicine Unit at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo University Medical School between July 1, 2013, and July 31, 2015, were allocated into either the gastroschisis group, where the woman was carrying a fetus with gastroschisis, or the control group, where the fetus was normal. Patients in the control group were matched at study entry for maternal age, preconception body mass index and weeks of gestation. In-person interviews were conducted during pregnancy to obtain data on demographic, medical, and social characteristics; exposure to substances; pregnancy history; the presence of chronic disease, urinary tract infections (UTIs), influenza, and fever; and the occurrence of stress events between the month before the last menstrual period and the first trimester of pregnancy. Of 171 women included in the study, 57 were allocated to the gastroschisis group and 114 to the control group. There were significant associations between gastroschisis and maternal UTI (P=0.011), tobacco use (P=0.001), alcohol consumption (P≤0.001), and illicit drug use (P=0.012). After analysis by standard logistic regression, the remaining significant factors were UTI, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. UTI and exposure to tobacco or alcohol just before conception and during early pregnancy were associated with an increase in the likelihood of fetal gastroschisis.

Development of a prenatal clinical care pathway for uncomplicated gastroschisis and literature review.

Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect wherein the bowel is herniated into the amniotic fluid. Controversy exists regarding optimal prenatal surveillance strategies that predict fetal well-being and help guide timing of delivery. Our objective was to develop a clinical care pathway for prenatal management of uncomplicated gastroschisis at our institution. We performed a review of literature from January 1996 to May 2017 to evaluate prenatal ultrasound (US) markers and surveillance strategies that help determine timing of delivery and optimize outcomes in fetal gastroschisis. A total 63 relevant articles were identified. We found that among the US markers, intraabdominal bowel dilatation, polyhydramnios, and gastric dilatation are potentially associated with postnatal complications. Prenatal surveillance strategy with monthly US starting at 28weeks of gestational age (wGA) and twice weekly non-stress testing beginning at 32wGA is recommended to optimize fetal wellbeing. Timing of delivery should be based on obstetric indications and elective preterm delivery prior to 37wGA is not indicated. Close prenatal surveillance of fetal gastroschisis is necessary due to the high risk for adverse outcomes including intrauterine fetal demise in the third trimester. Decisions regarding the timing of delivery should take into consideration the additional prematurity-associated morbidity.

A systematic scoping review of clinical indications for induction of labour.

BackgroundThe proportion of women undergoing induction of labour (IOL) has risen in recent decades, with significant variation within countries and between hospitals. The aim of this study was to review research supporting indications for IOL and determine which indications are supported by evidence and where knowledge gaps exist.MethodsA systematic scoping review of quantitative studies of common indications for IOL. For each indication, we included systematic reviews/meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies and case control studies that compared maternal and neonatal outcomes for different modes or timing of birth. Studies were identified via the databases PubMed, Maternity and Infant Care, CINAHL, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from between April 2008 and November 2019, and also from reference lists of included studies. We identified 2554 abstracts and reviewed 300 full text articles. The quality of included studies was assessed using the RoB 2.0, the ROBINS-I and the ROBIN tool.Results68 studies were included which related to post-term pregnancy (15), hypertension/pre-eclampsia (15), diabetes (9), prelabour rupture of membranes (5), twin pregnancy (5), suspected fetal compromise (4), maternal elevated body mass index (BMI) (4), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (3), suspected macrosomia (3), fetal gastroschisis (2), maternal age (2), and maternal cardiac disease (1). Available evidence supports IOL for women with post-term pregnancy, although the evidence is weak regarding the timing (41 versus 42 weeks), and for women with hypertension/preeclampsia in terms of improved maternal outcomes. For women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (24–37 weeks), high-quality evidence supports expectant management rather than IOL/early birth. Evidence is weakly supportive for IOL in women with term rupture of membranes. For all other indications, there were conflicting findings and/or insufficient power to provide definitive evidence.ConclusionsWhile for some indications, IOL is clearly recommended, a number of common indications for IOL do not have strong supporting evidence. Overall, few RCTs have evaluated the various indications for IOL. For conditions where clinical equipoise regarding timing of birth may still exist, such as suspected macrosomia and elevated BMI, researchers and funding agencies should prioritise studies of sufficient power that can provide quality evidence to guide care in these situations.

1052: Interval growth across gestation in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis

Fetal gastroschisis is often complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the interval growth across gestation remains uncertain. As such, the aim of this study is to investigate the mean estimated fetal weight (EFW) and interval growth across gestation for pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis. This is a retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with gastroschisis evaluated at one of the five institutions of the University of California Fetal Consortium (UCfC) between 2014 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were prenatally diagnosed isolated gastroschisis with at least one ultrasound performed at a UCfC institution. EFW was recorded for each ultrasound performed from the time of initial gastroschisis diagnosis until delivery. Nearly all EFWs were calculated using the abdominal circumference, and all percentiles were calculated by Hadlock. Mean EFW for the cohort was calculated for each gestational age (GA) in 1-week increments, and 3-point smoothing was additionally utilized to even short-term fluctuations in the data and highlight overall trends. Eighty-four fetuses with gastroschisis were identified. The median maternal age was 23 years, 64% were nulliparous, 8% were smokers, and in terms of maternal ethnicity, 71% were White, 1% Asian, 24% mixed/other, and 4% unknown. Additionally, 54% were delivered preterm, and 48% met criteria for FGR. Figure 1 shows mean EFWs for each GA across gestation, along with EFWs calculated with 3-point smoothing. For comparison, EFWs meeting criteria for FGR at each GA by Hadlock are also depicted on this graph. Mean interval growth per week was 164 grams based on raw data, and 171 grams calculated with 3-point smoothing. Our cohort of gastroschisis-affected fetuses had a high percent of FGR. The overall trend and average interval growth for this cohort closely follow that for FGR fetuses. This pattern suggests that “appropriate interval growth” in a gastroschisis-affected fetuses is similar to interval growth of non-anomalous FGR fetuses. Falling off that curve may suggest additional pathological insult to the pregnancy.