1) What is gastroschisis?
Gastroschisis is the name given to the condition in which the intestines protrude from the abdomen through an opening that occurs right next to the baby's cord. This condition, which has nothing to do with chromosomal abnormalities, can cause knots in the intestines or conditions related to the underdevelopment of a part of the intestine.
Babies with gastroschisis have a high chance of survival (80-100%).
Gastroschisis can cause premature birth, growth retardation or death in the baby. For this reason, regular ultrasound follow-ups are necessary.
2) What causes gastroschisis?
The cause of gastroschisis is generally unknown. However, apart from very young pregnancies, gastritis is more common in cases where cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin, salicylate, ibuprofen and decongestant preparations such as pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are used in early pregnancy.
As we have just mentioned, gastroschisis has no relation to chromosomes. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform procedures such as amniocentesis, cordocentesis or CVS to perform chromosome analysis. The risk of recurrence of this condition is considered to be 3.5% in mothers who give birth to babies with gastroschisis.
3) How is gastroschisis diagnosed?
Gastochisis can be diagnosed with ultrasound examinations, along with omphalocele and gastroschisis. However, in order to make a diagnosis, at least the third month of pregnancy must have passed. Until this period, it is normal for the intestines to be visible outside, so it is not considered a problem. This situation is referred to as a “physiological hernia”.
In gastroschisis and omphalocele, high AFP (alphafetoprotein) levels in the maternal blood may be observed, causing polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid).
4) What is the probability of gastroschisis?
Gastroschisis is a condition that occurs approximately once in 10,000 pregnancies. The probability of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies is between 3% and 5%.
5) How is gastroschisis treated?
In order for the treatment to be carried out, the baby must first be born. Then, the baby is treated by surgery.
The majority of surgeries performed achieve the expected success. However, if the baby has any other anomalies along with this disorder, then the baby's condition changes depending on what these anomalies are and their severity. If there is no other abnormality in the baby other than omphalocele, then the baby has a 90% chance of survival. If oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios (low or high amniotic fluid) is also present, then the risk of chromosomal anomalies increases and in this case, the baby's chance of survival decreases.
6) How should babies with gastroschisis be delivered?
In these babies, it is usually recommended to have a cesarean section . It is also extremely important that the baby is born in a center where surgery can be performed.
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