What is Gastroschisis? An ERNICA animation for parents and families

Who's speaking

• Speaker 1

Chapters

• 0:01Definition and Pathophysiology of Gastroschisis — Defines gastroschisis as a failure of abdominal wall formation resulting in an opening to the right of the umbilicus through which intestines pass; notes unknown etiology and classification as a rare birth defect.
• 0:36Diagnosis and Prognosis — Describes prenatal ultrasound diagnosis, association with prematurity, need for specialist center care, and acknowledgment that while gastroschisis is life-threatening, most babies survive.
• 1:13Immediate Postnatal Management and Surgical Repair — Outlines initial stabilization with sterile wrapping of intestines, intravenous fluid support, and surgical options including primary repair (single operation) or staged repair (multiple steps).
• 1:59Recovery, Hospital Stay, and Long-term Follow-up — Discusses parenteral nutrition during intestinal recovery, typical hospital stay of 2-10 weeks, multidisciplinary team follow-up for growth and development monitoring, and availability of peer support groups.

Key claims

• 0:06The front of a baby's belly does not form properly during early pregnancy in gastroschisis — Speaker 1
• 0:11Gastroschisis presents as an opening on the right side of the belly button — Speaker 1
• 0:16The baby's intestines pass through the abdominal opening in gastroschisis — Speaker 1
• 0:19Gastroschisis is classed as a rare birth defect — Speaker 1
• 0:24The cause of gastroschisis is unknown — Speaker 1
• 0:27Gastroschisis may mean that the intestines are not able to work properly — Speaker 1
• 0:32Gastroschisis is not usually associated with other malformations — Speaker 1
• 0:36A diagnosis of gastroschisis can be made before birth using ultrasound — Speaker 1
• 0:45Many babies with gastroschisis are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) — Speaker 1
• 0:51Care should be provided at a specialist center by a dedicated team with knowledge and experience of gastroschisis — Speaker 1
• 1:03Gastroschisis is a serious condition and can be life threatening before and after birth — Speaker 1
• 1:10Most babies with gastroschisis do survive — Speaker 1
• 1:18Some babies may be transferred to a dedicated intensive care unit if they are born prematurely — Speaker 1
• 1:24The baby's intestines are wrapped in a sterile bag to avoid damage — Speaker 1
• 1:24Babies with gastroschisis receive fluid via a tube that delivers it through a vein — Speaker 1
• 1:33When the baby is stable, surgery is performed to place the intestines back in the belly and close the opening — Speaker 1
• 1:41Primary repair is a single operation to close gastroschisis — Speaker 1
• 1:49Staged repair involves several steps to close gastroschisis — Speaker 1
• 1:54Further surgery may be needed if other malformations are also present — Speaker 1
• 1:59While the intestines recover, the baby receives feed through a tube that delivers it through a vein (parenteral nutrition) — Speaker 1
• 2:10Hospital stay duration depends on the severity of gastroschisis, complications, and response to treatment — Speaker 1
• 2:20Hospital stay often ranges between 2 to 10 weeks but may be longer if needed — Speaker 1
• 2:25Follow-up care by a multidisciplinary team is required to monitor growth and development — Speaker 1
• 2:37Some babies may experience ongoing difficulties that require different types and levels of care — Speaker 1
• 2:43Identifying any complications or difficulties early is very important — Speaker 1
• 2:49Some babies may require parenteral nutrition for a longer period to promote continued growth — Speaker 1
• 2:55Peer support can be accessed through patient and family support groups — Speaker 1