MANAGEMENT AT BIRTH

Gastroschisis is a congenital anomaly characterised by a full thickness abdominal wall defect, usually just to the right of an intact umbilical cord, through which a variable amount of intestine protrudes without a covering membrane; other abdominal viscera like liver, spleen, gonads etc may also protrude. The size of the abdominal wall defect is variable; small defects are a concern and may cause significant bowel ischaemia. The term ‘Vanishing Gastroschisis ’ is used to describe the apparent foetal ultrasonic reduction and disappearance of exteriorised bowel due to the abdominal wall defect spontaneously closes, leading to significant bowel ischaemia and short bowel syndrome