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Additional Anomalies in Children with Gastroschisis and Omphalocele: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Adinda G H Pijpers1,2,3, Cunera M C de Beaufort1,2,3, Sanne C Maat1,2,3
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Emma Children's Hospital Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Congenital abdominal wall defects like gastroschisis and omphalocele often have associated anomalies. Cardiac anomalies are a risk factor in complex gastroschisis, highlighting the need for postnatal cardiac screening.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Medicine
- Congenital Anomalies
Background:
- Congenital abdominal wall defects, including gastroschisis and omphalocele, can present with additional anomalies.
- Existing literature lacks a comprehensive overview of these associated anomalies and their risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of associated anomalies in patients with gastroschisis and omphalocele.
- To identify patient-specific risk factors for these associated anomalies.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 1997 and 2023.
- Data on 122 patients (82 gastroschisis, 40 omphalocele) were analyzed.
- Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- Associated anomalies were found in 31.7% of gastroschisis and 67.5% of omphalocele cases.
- Intestinal anomalies were most common in gastroschisis (15.9%), while cardiac anomalies were most frequent in omphalocele (37.5%).
- Cardiac anomalies were significantly associated with complex gastroschisis (OR: 8.5).
Conclusions:
- Intestinal and cardiac anomalies are the most common in gastroschisis and omphalocele, respectively.
- Cardiac anomalies are a risk factor in complex gastroschisis.
- Postnatal cardiac screening is crucial for all infants with gastroschisis or omphalocele.
Background:
Congenital abdominal wall defects might be associated with other anomalies, such as atresia in gastroschisis and cardiac anomalies in omphalocele patients. However, in the current literature, an overview of these additional anomalies and potential patient-specific risk factors is missing. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prevalence of associated anomalies and their patient-specific risk factors in patients with gastroschisis and omphalocele.
Methods:
A mono-center retrospective cohort study between 1997 and 2023 was performed. Outcomes were the presence of any additional anomalies. Risk factors were analyzed via logistic regression analysis.
Results:
In total, 122 patients were included, of whom 82 (67.2%) had gastroschisis, and 40 (32.8%) had omphalocele. Additional anomalies were identified in 26 gastroschisis patients (31.7%) and in 27 omphalocele patients (67.5%). In patients with gastroschisis, intestinal anomalies were most identified (n = 13, 15.9%), whereas, in patients with omphalocele, cardiac anomalies were most identified (n = 15, 37.5%). Logistic regression showed that cardiac anomalies were associated with complex gastroschisis (OR: 8.5; CI-95%: 1.4-49.5).
Conclusions:
In patients with gastroschisis and omphalocele, intestinal and cardiac anomalies were most identified, respectively. Cardiac anomalies were found to be a risk factor for patients with complex gastroschisis. Therefore, regardless of the type of gastroschisis and/or omphalocele, postnatal cardiac screening remains important.

