Gastroschisis Diagnosis

Both are abdominal wall defects, but the key difference is the covering. In gastroschisis the bowel passes through an opening beside the belly button (usually to the right) and is not covered by any membrane, floating freely in the amniotic fluid. In exomphalos the organs remain enclosed within a protective sac at the base of the umbilical cord.

This distinction matters clinically. Exomphalos carries a higher chance of chromosomal and other structural problems, whereas gastroschisis is usually an isolated condition. Your specialist will explain which one has been seen and what it means for your pregnancy.

Usually not. Gastroschisis is typically an isolated finding and is rarely associated with a chromosomal abnormality. Only around 10% of babies have an additional malformation outside the digestive tract.

This is reassuring, but your team may still discuss detailed scanning and, in some cases, further testing to look at the rest of the baby's development before making a full plan.

Often, yes. Gastroschisis is one of the abdominal wall defects that can be suspected earlier than 20 weeks because bowel is visibly outside a clear abdominal outline. It is sometimes first noticed at the routine scan around 12 weeks.

At London Pregnancy Clinic our detailed 10 Week Scan and Early Fetal Scan, performed by fetal-medicine specialists, look closely at the developing abdominal wall and can frequently raise suspicion earlier. Because the abdomen is still forming very early on, an early scan complements the 20-week NHS anomaly scan rather than replacing it.

On ultrasound the sonographer sees loops of bowel floating freely in the amniotic fluid outside the tummy, without a membrane around them. A raised level of a blood marker called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the mother can also point towards the diagnosis.

If gastroschisis is confirmed you will usually be referred to a fetal-medicine unit, and delivery will be planned at a hospital with neonatal surgery available.

Immediately after birth the exposed bowel is gently wrapped to keep it warm and protected, and the baby is cared for by a specialist surgical team. An operation is then needed to return the bowel to the abdomen and close the wall.

This may be done in a single operation, or in stages using a protective sac (a silo or mesh) that gradually eases the bowel back inside over several days. Babies then usually spend a period in neonatal care while their bowel starts to work and feeding is established.

The outlook is generally very good. Around 9 in 10 babies with gastroschisis make a full recovery, and most grow up to live normal lives.

Recovery time varies. Babies with straightforward (simple) gastroschisis often spend around a month in hospital, while those whose bowel has been more affected may need longer care. Your surgical team will give you a clearer picture based on your baby's individual situation.

The incidence of gastroschisis has risen in the UK over recent decades, and it is most strongly associated with younger mothers, particularly those under the age of 20. The exact reasons are not fully understood.

What is clear is that this is a demographic association rather than something a parent has done. Your team will focus on monitoring and planning the safest possible care for you and your baby.