Are there health problems that are more common among babies with gastroschisis?
Although the majority of babies with gastroschisis do well in the long term, many have feeding difficulties in the neonatal period. Initially, all babies with gastroschisis receive intravenous nutrition. Depending on the degree of intestinal damage, it may take several weeks until a baby is able to tolerate an elemental (pre-digested) formula. Feedings are started slowly as a continuous drip through a feeding tube, then gradually transitioned to oral bolus feeds. A small percentage of babies with gastroschisis will have hypoperistalsis syndrome (slow movement through the intestine) and will need intravenous nutrition for a prolonged period of time which may lead to liver injury. In addition, occasional gastroschisis babies will suffer a loss of intestine secondary to volvulus (twisting) of premature closure at the abdominal wall defect in utero. These infants are at high-risk for short-gut syndrome and TPN (intravenous nutrition) dependence. Can this happen again with another pregnancy
