Gastroschisis and omphalocele

It has been widely acknowledged that exomphalos and gastroschisis are two different clinical entities. Their etiology and pathogenesis, however, remain controversial. Several techniques are available for making a prenatal diagnosis of these as well as many other malformations. Some prenatal treatment is possible, but operative management is the more usual course. In most cases, of omphalocele and gastroschisis, treated either conservatively or by any kind of surgery, intensive care is mandatory to support nutrition and often ventilation as well. Enteral nutrition at an early stage during the postoperative period might lead to bouts of necrotizing enterocolitis requiring aggressive medical treatment and sometimes even operative treatment.