Question 1

is gastrochesis fatal?

Accepted Answer

Complications decide: Untreated gastroschesis is not consistant with survival.Agressive management has resulted in survival of all the cases I have worked with. Unfortunately there are some cases where the bowel twists on itself during pregnancy & cuts off circulation to bowel that must be removed. This can lead to life threatening complications. Prenatal detection allows planned delivery and early treatment.

Question 2

what is gastroschisis?

Accepted Answer

Gastroschisis: Is a birth defect in which an infant's intestines stick out of the body through a defect on one side of the umbilical cord.

Question 3

what causes gastroschisis?

Accepted Answer

Largely uknown: The cause of gastroschisis is not known, but there are certain statistical associations such as younger maternal age, alcohol consumption or smoking during pregnancy, & certain medications or infections. For more information go to the birth defects homepage of the cdc at:  www.Cdc.Gov/ncbddd/birthdefects and select specific birth defects in the left column; scroll down to "gastroschisis".

Question 4

is gastrochesis hereditary?

Accepted Answer

No: Gastroschisis is most often an isolated finding (defect in abdominal wall), not a part of multiple defects or abnormalities.

Question 5

what is the procedure necessary for correcting gastrochesis?

Accepted Answer

Staged correction: For most cases, the child is taken to surgery where the defect is assessed for simple re-insertion & closure.In most, the abdominal wall is too tight so a silo, or toothpaste tube like structure is sown above the belly to protect the exposed gut.It is covered with antiseptic material. It is stitched up gradually  over subsequent days to squeeze the gut back into the belly for closure.

Question 6

gastroschisis may be detected by 18 weeks?

Accepted Answer

Sure - even by 14 wk: Experienced centers and physicians/sonographers can detect fetal gastroschisis by 13-14 weeks. This is typically a fetal anomaly for teenage first-time mothers and may have to do with environmental toxic exposures (organophosphates from fruit/vegetable spraying, cocaine, amphetamines, adderall, (dextroamphetamine and racemic amphetamine) nsaids etc).

Question 7

is  a gastroschisis or omphalocele the same?

Accepted Answer

No: Omphalocele is an abdominal wall defect through the umbilical ring.  Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect that usually occur to the right of the umbilical cord/umbilical ring.  Omphalocele usually has an amniotic sac, gastroschisis does not.  Omphalocele has a higher association with other congenital anomalies compared to gastroschisis.

Question 8

which is worse: gastroschisis or an omphalocele?

Accepted Answer

Comparison: Omphalocele is usually associated with other congenital problems. like heart or genetics defects which affect long term outcome. 
Gastroschisis is not associated with other problems, but it could be challenging for surgical repair and gut function afterwards

Question 9

which is worse: an omphalocele or gastroschisis?

Accepted Answer

Gastroschesis: These tend to be much more difficult to manage.

Question 10

what is the prognosis of gastroschisis and an omphalocele?

Accepted Answer

Good: gastroschisis without intestinal injury is 100% survivable. Omphalocele on the other hand is associated with major heart and CNS defects that may prove quite significant.

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Is gastrochesis fatal

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Is gastrochesis fatal?

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What is gastroschisis?

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What causes gastroschisis?

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Is gastrochesis hereditary?

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What is the procedure necessary for correcting gastrochesis?

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Gastroschisis may be detected by 18 weeks?

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Is a gastroschisis or omphalocele the same?

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Which is worse: gastroschisis or an omphalocele?

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Which is worse: an omphalocele or gastroschisis?

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What is the prognosis of gastroschisis and an omphalocele?

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