Abdominal wall defects: prenatal diagnosis, newborn management, and long-term outcomes

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Neonatology
• Medical Genetics

Background:

• Omphalocele and gastroschisis are the most common congenital abdominal wall defects encountered by pediatric surgeons.
• Increased incidence reported in the last decade, linked to widespread prenatal ultrasound use.
• Early detection enables multidisciplinary counseling and coordinated delivery planning at specialized centers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current management strategies for congenital abdominal wall defects.
• To highlight advancements in surgical and neonatal care for these conditions.
• To discuss long-term outcomes, including transition of care, fertility, and cosmesis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and clinical practices.
• Analysis of advancements in prenatal diagnosis and surgical techniques.
• Discussion of multidisciplinary care models for high-risk pregnancies and neonates.

Main Results:

• Prenatal diagnosis allows for timely intervention and specialized care planning.
• Surgical closure of abdominal wall defects, including staged approaches, is consistently achievable.
• Management of associated cardiac, urinary, and gastrointestinal anomalies has significantly improved survival rates.

Conclusions:

• Modern medical and surgical advancements ensure high survival rates for newborns with abdominal wall defects, enabling them to reach adulthood.
• Comprehensive care, from prenatal diagnosis to transition of adult care, optimizes outcomes.
• Focus on long-term quality of life, including fertility and cosmetic results, is increasingly important.