Gastroschisis Research Paper

Gastroschisis
Tanya Echeverria
10/13/14

Gastroschisis is a birth defect, a congenital condition where there is an incomplete formation of the abdominal wall, (Bucher, B. T., Mazotas, I. G., Warner, B. W., & Saito, J. 2012, June). it results from herniation of the small intestines into the amniotic fluid through a small defect with the size of two to five centimeters in the right umbilical region. Rarely the opening will be located to the left umbilical region. It occurs between twenty-eight and thirty-two days of development and it is thought to be caused by a vascular disruption sequence. (Ali Nawaz, Nigel Thomas, Sumaira McDonald, Durre Sabih July 29,2012). It has been suggested that the vessel responsible is the omphalomesenteric artery
(Ali Nawaz, Nigel Thomas, Sumaira McDonald, Durre Sabih July 29,2012). Approximately forty-eight percent of infants with gastroschisis are small for their gestational age. (Ali Nawaz, Nigel Thomas, Sumaira McDonald, Durre Sabih July 29,2012). Gastroschisis is suspected after a routine blood with high alpha protein. The diagnosis can often be made by using antenatal sonography before twenty weeks of gestation. With transvaginal sonograms, the diagnosis has been made as early as twelve weeks of pregnancy. (Ali Nawaz, Nigel Thomas, Sumaira McDonald, Durre Sabih July 29,2012). It is diagnosed on a fetal evaluation ultrasound in the second trimester when free floating intestines are seen. Because of the higher risk of damage to the intestines the baby is preferably delivered early so the pediatric surgeon, neonatologist and other doctors are prepared and do the best care for the baby. Knowing the risks of poor fetal growth dropper ultrasounds are done twice weekly starting the twenty-eight week up until delivery to see blood flow and make sure the intestines aren’t damages. After all there are many ultrasounds done to make sure
They are part of the major systems that make up the body work properly. The intestines absorb nutrients and fats needed for the child to grow healthy if not working properly a child’s health can be affected severely. (Ali Nawaz, Nigel Thomas, Sumaira McDonald, Durre Sabih July 29,2012). The way in which the pediatrician and surgeon know the baby’s intestines are working properly is by tracking the babies weight gain daily at the same time of day. If doctors suspect that the intestines might be damaged, they will open the abdomen and find were the damage is to fix it by removing the defect. Some children have to be on a life time TPN because of intestines being shortened. The other option to necrotizing enterocolitis, short bowel syndrome problems would be and intestinal transplant, but it is not always successful. Eighty-five percent of babies that are treated without short bowel syndrome are successful, they often catch up with their development. Unlike Omphalocele an abdominal wall defect, gastroschisis is not associated with the chromosomal abnormalities or other structural malformations with the exception of an intestinal atresia which only occurs in ten percent of infants. (Ali Nawaz, Nigel Thomas, Sumaira McDonald, Durre Sabih July