Can fetal gastroschisis always be diagnosed prenatally?

• Published in: Prenatal diagnosis Vol. 7; no. 8; p. 607
• Main Authors: Knott, P D, Colley, N V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-10-1987
• Subjects: Abdominal Muscles - abnormalities; alpha-Fetoproteins - metabolism; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0197-3851
• DOI: 10.1002/pd.1970070812

Fetal gastroschisis is regarded as a relatively straightforward ultrasound diagnosis. We report two cases of infants born with undiagnosed gastroschisis despite several detailed prenatal assessments following raised serum alphafetoprotein measurements. In both cases, the bowel was healthy with no evidence of long-term herniation through the abdominal wall and primary surgical correction was successful. Gastroschisis has previously been classified as 'antenatal' and 'perinatal', and we conclude that the latter type is not always possible to diagnose prenatally.