Gastroschisis
Gastroschisis pronounced Gas-troh-skee-sis.
This is a birth defect that affects approximately 1 in 1,800 births in the United States every year. This birth defect has no known cause. There is no reason to why the child is selected for the birth defect. It has nothing to do with anything the parents have done. There is not much you can do to know this will even affect a mother. Actually the statistics I have read say that younger mothers under 30 have a higher risk, as well as a mother who is Caucasian is more likely to be affected by Gastroschisis. Higher risks of 66% will affect a mother if this is her first pregnancy. Lower risk are less then 3% if this is your third pregnancy or higher.
Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal (belly) wall. The baby’s intestines stick outside of the baby’s body, through a hole beside the belly button. The hole can be small or large and sometimes other organs, such as the stomach and liver, can also stick outside of the baby’s body. Approximately the hole is around 2-5cm's in length.
Gastroschisis occurs early during 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 extend outside of the body, usually to the right side of belly button. Because the intestines are not covered in a protective sac and are exposed to the amniotic fluid, the bowel can become irritated, causing it to shorten, twist, or swell. If this occurs early delivery is almost always the solution.
Gastroschisis is not a birth defect that means you have to have a C-section. The option of vaginal birth is always an option. This will be something that is discussed between the OBGYN and the parents. If there seems the be an option of vaginal birth and the mother prefers this usually this is something that is taken into affect and tried. Although all options are always kept open.
Soon after the baby is born, surgery will be needed to place the abdominal organs inside the baby's body and repair the abdominal wall. Even after the repair, infants with gastroschisis can have problems with feeding, digestion of food, and absorption of nutrients.
Surgery after birth is to try to place the intestines back into the child's body. Although, you can't force to much pressure on the organs in the child's body. Therefore more likely then not the infants intestines will be placed into Silo bag (which is a clear bag that the intestines are placed into) and then over 7-12 days they are pushed into the abdomen. After that is completed they have another surgery to cover up the opening and try to heal the wound.
This is an extensive journey and it is not easy but its worth it all in the end.
This is a birth defect that affects approximately 1 in 1,800 births in the United States every year. This birth defect has no known cause. There is no reason to why the child is selected for the birth defect. It has nothing to do with anything the parents have done. There is not much you can do to know this will even affect a mother. Actually the statistics I have read say that younger mothers under 30 have a higher risk, as well as a mother who is Caucasian is more likely to be affected by Gastroschisis. Higher risks of 66% will affect a mother if this is her first pregnancy. Lower risk are less then 3% if this is your third pregnancy or higher.
Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal (belly) wall. The baby’s intestines stick outside of the baby’s body, through a hole beside the belly button. The hole can be small or large and sometimes other organs, such as the stomach and liver, can also stick outside of the baby’s body. Approximately the hole is around 2-5cm's in length.
Gastroschisis occurs early during 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 extend outside of the body, usually to the right side of belly button. Because the intestines are not covered in a protective sac and are exposed to the amniotic fluid, the bowel can become irritated, causing it to shorten, twist, or swell. If this occurs early delivery is almost always the solution.
Gastroschisis is not a birth defect that means you have to have a C-section. The option of vaginal birth is always an option. This will be something that is discussed between the OBGYN and the parents. If there seems the be an option of vaginal birth and the mother prefers this usually this is something that is taken into affect and tried. Although all options are always kept open.
Soon after the baby is born, surgery will be needed to place the abdominal organs inside the baby's body and repair the abdominal wall. Even after the repair, infants with gastroschisis can have problems with feeding, digestion of food, and absorption of nutrients.
Surgery after birth is to try to place the intestines back into the child's body. Although, you can't force to much pressure on the organs in the child's body. Therefore more likely then not the infants intestines will be placed into Silo bag (which is a clear bag that the intestines are placed into) and then over 7-12 days they are pushed into the abdomen. After that is completed they have another surgery to cover up the opening and try to heal the wound.
This is an extensive journey and it is not easy but its worth it all in the end.