Gastroschisis

This chapter reviews the incidence, risk factors, genetics, recurrence risk, epidemiology, and distinctive anatomy of gastroschisis. This abnormality is much more common in the offspring of young mothers and the overall incidence continues to rise worldwide. Other risk factors include short intrapregnancy intervals, smoking and several medications such as aspirin and ibuprophen. Associated abnormalities most frequently include intestinal atresias and strictures although other vascular disruptive defects, particularly the amyoplasia form of arthrogryposis, are seen in 3-10%. Distinquishing this defect from omphalocele is usually not difficult although a ruptured omphalocele may cause confusion. Ruling out limb-body wall disruption is important as the prognosis is vastly different. The clinical case presentation features an infant with amyoplasia and gastroschisis.