Intrauterine growth patterns in fetal gastroschisis

The objective of this study was to evaluate patterns of intrauterine growth in fetal gastroschisis. This was a retrospective review of prenatally diagnosed cases of fetal gastroschisis delivered at the University of North Carolina Hospital from January 2000 to January 2007. Fetal growth (biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight) and amniotic fluid volume were evaluated by gestational age. Gastroschisis was diagnosed in 83 pregnancies; outcomes were available in 71 fetuses. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 17 weeks and 1 day. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks and 4 days. Mean birth weight was 2306 g. As early as the second trimester, all morphometric measures demonstrated impaired in utero growth, with growth curves shifted to the right of the 50th percentile when compared with a standard population. Estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile was suspected in 23% of pregnancies, and birth weight at less than the 10th percentile occurred in 47% of neonates. Amniotic fluid volumes remained stable throughout gestation. Fetuses with gastroschisis display impaired intrauterine growth, which is noted in the midsecond trimester of pregnancy and does not appear to progress throughout gestation.