Early childhood outcomes of infants born with gastroschisis

To describe neonatal and childhood outcomes of a contemporary cohort of infants with gastroschisis.

Observational, single center, inception cohort of children born with gastroschisis from January 2005 to December 2008.

Of 63 infants, 61 survived to hospital discharge and 39 were seen for follow-up. Complications included sepsis (37%), necrotizing enterocolitis (10%), parenteral nutrition related cholestasis (25%), and short bowel syndrome (13%). Of survivors, 5% had visual impairment and 10% had hearing loss. No child tested had mental delay or cerebral palsy. Early gestational age predicted death or disability (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38, 0.96; p=0.033). There was a high incidence of prescription medications for presumed gastroesophageal reflux (90%). Some infants continued to require tube feeds (15%). There were improvements in longitudinal growth reflected in increasing z-scores.

Although children with gastroschisis are at risk for disability, childhood outcomes are encouraging.