ABSTRACT
We describe outcomes of 70 infants with gastroschisis admitted to our neonatal intensive
care unit between 2001 and 2005. Demographic data and outcome measures including discharge
or death, simple versus complex (intestinal atresia, perforation, bowel necrosis,
or volvulus), length of stay, mechanical ventilation and total parenteral nutrition,
commencement of enteral feeds and age at reaching full feeds, and number of episodes
of bacteremia were evaluated. In our study, 72% of the patients (n = 58) were simple
cases, 28% were complex, and 44% had a positive blood culture. Median length of stay
was 43 and 116 days for simple and complex cases, respectively. Median age at commencement
of enteral feeds was 19 and 44 days for simple and complex cases, respectively. Six
(14%) infants with simple and 8 (50%) with complex gastroschisis required an assisted
feeding device (gastrostomy) tube before discharge. We concluded that the type of
gastroschisis (simple versus complex) is an important determinant of outcome, including
time to start and get to full feeds, duration of parenteral nutrition, length of stay,
and survival. Although it is not always possible to determine whether the defect is
simple or complex by antenatal scans, this information will be valuable to families
with infants with gastroschisis and should be made available as soon as possible.
KEYWORDS
Gastroschisis - outcomes - length of stay - bacteremia - mortality
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Akshaya J VachharajaniM.D.
1 Children's Place
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