Gastroschisis
Gastroschisis
Gastroschisis (pronounced gas-tro-ski-sis) is a birth defect of the abdominal (belly) wall. The baby's intestines are found outside of the baby's body, exiting through a hole beside the belly button.
Etymology
The term "Gastroschisis" is derived from the Greek words "gastro", meaning stomach, and "schisis", meaning split.
Definition
Gastroschisis is a type of abdominal wall defect in which the baby's intestines, and sometimes other organs such as the stomach and liver, are outside of the body because of a hole in the abdominal wall. The hole is usually to the right of the umbilical cord.
Causes
The exact cause of gastroschisis is unknown. It is thought to occur early in pregnancy when the muscles that make up the baby's abdominal wall do not form correctly. A hole occurs which allows the intestines and other organs to protrude outside of the body.
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of gastroschisis is the presence of the baby's intestines outside of the body, visible immediately after birth. Other symptoms may include an inflamed or irritated intestine, difficulty with digestion, and poor growth.
Treatment
Treatment for gastroschisis usually involves surgery to return the intestines and other organs to the abdomen and close the hole in the abdominal wall. After surgery, the baby will need care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for several weeks to months to help them recover and ensure they can digest food properly.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gastroschisis
- Wikipedia's article - Gastroschisis
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