Gastroschisis

Intestinal Effects of Early Delivery in Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is a defect of the anterior abdominal wall with extrusion of fetal intestine into the amniotic cavity. The prognosis of this congenital anomaly is mainly influenced by the degree of inflammation of the intestine at birth, that seems be related to the chemical action of amniotic fluid during gestation. As the concentration of meconium increases exponentially at end of the gestation, mainly after 34 weeks, an elective preterm delivery to limit contact of the bowel to amniotic fluid can be a therapeutic strategy. We are studying the molecular, cellular and histologic changes in this condition during the gestational age.