gastroshiza: Simple Guide to This Birth Condition and How It Is Treated

When you hear a word like “gastroschisis” (sometimes written online as gastroshiza), it can sound strange and scary. This guide will explain it in clear, simple English so you can understand what it is, why it happens, and how doctors treat it.

This article is for parents, family members, and anyone who wants to learn. The tone is friendly, but the information is based on real medical knowledge and research.

What Is Gastroschisis?

Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the belly (abdomen).

• There is a hole in the baby’s belly wall, usually next to the belly button, most often on the right side.
• Through this hole, the baby’s intestines come outside the body. Sometimes the stomach or liver can also come out.
• The organs do not have a protective sac around them. They are open to the amniotic fluid during pregnancy and to the air after birth. This can make them swollen and irritated.

Doctors see gastroschisis right away at birth because the baby’s intestines are clearly visible outside the belly.

Gastroschisis is not the parents’ fault. It happens very early in pregnancy when the baby’s belly wall is forming.

How Does Gastroschisis Happen?

The exact cause of gastroschisis is still not fully known.

Doctors know this:

• It starts early in pregnancy, when the muscles and skin of the baby’s belly do not close completely. This leaves a small opening.
• The intestines then slip out through this opening and stay outside while the baby grows.

Some risk factors make gastroschisis more likely:

• Mother is younger than 20 years old
• Smoking, alcohol, or some drug use during pregnancy
• Possible environmental factors that affect the baby during early development

In most cases, there is no family history and no clear single cause.

How Common Is Gastroschisis?

Gastroschisis is rare, but doctors are seeing it more often now than in the past.

• It affects about 4 in every 10,000 babies which is around 1 in 2,500 to 4,000 births depending on the country
• Many babies with gastroschisis are born a bit early premature

Because it needs quick surgery after birth, doctors try to plan delivery in a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit NICU and pediatric surgeons.

How Is Gastroschisis Found?

Before Birth During Pregnancy

Gastroschisis is often found with prenatal ultrasound:

• During a routine scan often around 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor may see loops of bowel outside the baby’s belly
• A blood test that shows a high level of alpha fetoprotein AFP can also be a clue

If the ultrasound shows gastroschisis, the pregnancy is usually followed more closely by:

• A maternal fetal medicine specialist
• A neonatologist baby specialist
• A pediatric surgeon

They will plan the safest time and place for birth.

At Birth

If gastroschisis was not found during pregnancy, it is obvious right after delivery:

• The baby’s intestines are outside the body, near the belly button
• The medical team moves quickly to protect the organs and keep the baby warm and stable

First Hours After the Baby Is Born

The first hours are very important. The team usually:

• Places the intestines in a sterile plastic bag or special silo to keep them moist and clean
• Gives fluids through a vein IV because the baby cannot feed by mouth yet
• Keeps the baby warm and protects from infection
• Checks breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure in the NICU

The main goal is to keep the baby stable until surgery.

How Is Gastroschisis Treated?

The only real treatment is surgery. The aim is to:

1. Gently put the intestines back inside the belly
2. Close the hole in the belly wall

There are two main ways to do this:

1. Primary Repair One Time Surgery

If:

• The hole is small
• The intestines are not too swollen
• The baby’s belly has enough space inside

Then the surgeon may be able to:

• Put all the intestines back in during one operation
• Close the belly wall right away

This is called primary repair.

2. Staged Repair Using a Silo

If:

• Many organs are outside
• The intestines are very swollen or thick
• The belly is too small to safely hold everything at once

Then doctors use a staged repair:

1. The intestines are placed in a soft plastic bag called a silo, which stands above the baby’s belly
2. Over several days, the surgeons and NICU team slowly tighten the silo, so the intestines move back inside the belly a little each day
3. When all the organs are back inside, the surgeon closes the hole

Life in the NICU After Surgery

After surgery, the baby usually stays in the NICU for some time. The length of stay can be weeks or even months, depending on how the intestines work.

During this time, the team:

• Gives IV nutrition also called parenteral nutrition while the bowel rests and heals
• Slowly starts milk feeds breast milk or formula through a tube when the intestines are ready
• Watches for signs of
  • Infection
  • Trouble digesting food
  • Blockages in the bowel

Parents can often touch, hold, and talk to their baby when safe. Skin to skin contact kangaroo care is encouraged when possible.

Possible Complications

Many babies with gastroschisis do very well. But some may have complications, especially if the condition is complex like when the bowel is twisted or blocked.

Possible problems include:

• Slow bowel movement It can take a long time before the intestines work well, so tube feeding and IV nutrition may be needed
• Intestinal atresia A part of the intestine may be missing or blocked and needs extra surgery
• Short bowel syndrome If a large part of the intestine is damaged and removed, the child may have long term problems absorbing food
• Infections Because of surgeries and IV lines, there is a higher risk of infection

Even with these risks, survival rates in good hospitals are very high, often above 90 percent.

Long Term Outlook for Children

The good news is that many children with gastroschisis:

• Grow up to live normal lives
• Can go to school, play sports, and eat normally

However, some may need:

• Follow up with gastroenterologists digestive system doctors
• Help from dietitians if weight gain is slow
• Extra checking of growth and development in early years

Children with complex gastroschisis or short bowel syndrome may need longer follow up, special diets, or medicines.

Emotional Support for Parents

Learning that your baby has gastroschisis can feel shocking, sad, and confusing. These feelings are normal.

Helpful steps:

• Ask many questions. The medical team is used to explaining this condition to parents
• Write things down or ask someone to take notes during talks with doctors
• Reach out to support groups for parents of children with birth defects or NICU babies
• Take care of your own health too. Sleep, food, and mental health are important so you can care for your baby

You are not alone. Many families have walked this road and found hope.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

1. Is gastroshiza the same as gastroschisis?

Yes. Gastroshiza is a misspelling or non medical spelling that some websites use. The correct medical name is gastroschisis.

2. Did I do something wrong to cause gastroschisis?

In almost all cases, no. The exact cause is unknown. Some things like very young maternal age, smoking, or alcohol can increase the risk but many mothers with healthy habits also have babies with gastroschisis.

3. Can gastroschisis be seen before the baby is born?

Yes. In many cases, doctors see it on a routine ultrasound, often around 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, when they see bowel outside the baby’s belly.

4. How serious is gastroschisis?

Gastroschisis is serious because vital organs are outside the body and surgery is needed. But with modern care and surgery, most babies survive and do well.

5. Will my baby need more than one surgery?

Sometimes yes. If the intestines are very swollen or many organs are out, doctors may use a staged repair with a silo and several steps. Some babies also need later surgeries for bowel problems like blockages.

6. Can my baby eat normally after recovery?

Many children with simple gastroschisis later eat a normal diet. But at first, feeding is slow and careful. Some babies with complex gastroschisis or short bowel need special diets or long term support.

7. How long will my baby stay in the hospital?

The hospital stay is often several weeks and sometimes months. It depends on how quickly the intestines start working, how soon the baby can feed by mouth, and whether there are complications.

8. Will my next baby also have gastroschisis?

The chance that a future baby will also have gastroschisis is low. There is some small increased risk compared with the general population but most families have healthy babies next time.

9. Is a cesarean C section always needed?

Not always. There is no strong proof that C section is better than vaginal birth just because of gastroschisis. The type of delivery usually depends on other reasons related to the mother or baby.

10. Where can I find good information and support?

Trusted sources include
Major children’s hospitals
Parent support groups for birth defects or NICU families

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