Gastroschisis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Gastroschisis is a congenital disorder found in newborns. This disorder is a condition in which the muscles and outer lining of the stomach do not close. As a result, the intestines and other organs in the stomach can spill out of the abdominal cavity. This condition is an emergency condition that requires immediate treatment.
Symptom
Gastroschisis is characterized by the opening of the abdominal cavity due to the absence of muscle, fat, and the outer lining of the stomach so that the intestines or liver spill out. There is a similar condition known as omphalocele. The difference is that in gastroschisis there is no amniotic membrane that covers the intestine, whereas in omphalocele there is an amniotic membrane that protects the intestine.
Reason
Until now the cause of gastroschisis is not known with certainty. However, it is suspected that there are genetic or chromosomal abnormalities that affect the occurrence of this problem.
In addition, there are several conditions that make a baby more susceptible to gastroschisis, namely:
• The mother is pregnant at the age of • During pregnancy, the mother often consumes alcohol or is often exposed to cigarette smoke
Diagnosis
Gastroschisis can be confirmed when looking at a newborn without muscles and the outer lining of the stomach, the intestines open without being covered by the fetal sac (amniotic sac). But actually, the condition of gastroschisis can already be known when the fetus is still in the womb through an ultrasound examination of the uterus.
Treatment
Treatment for gastroschisis is immediate surgery. The aim of the operation is to return the dislodged organs to the stomach and perform the act of closing the stomach. The operation can take place once or be divided into several stages depending on the severity of the gastroschisis being experienced.
While waiting for the operation to be prepared, the baby must get fluids through an IV, as well as antibiotics to prevent dehydration. In addition, the organs that come out of the stomach must be covered with sterile gauze that has been moistened so that body fluids do not evaporate.
Prevention
Until now there has been no prevention of gastroschisis. However, this disease can be detected since the fetus is still in the womb so that handling when the baby is born can be better prepared.