Living with Gastroschisis
A birth defect in which a baby's intestines poke out of the body through a hole beside the belly button.
Understanding Gastroschisis
It is a type of abdominal wall defect, and sometimes other organs are also involved. It is typically found on routine ultrasound before the baby is born. These babies may need to be born in hospitals with specialists experienced in treating gastroschisis. Complications can include intestinal problems, breathing difficulties, and infection.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from baby to baby. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Intestines outside the body next to the belly button
- Differences in how the digestive system formed before birth
- Slow growth before birth
- Differences in the umbilical cord
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include digestive system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with The Gobal Gastroschisis Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the exact cause is usually not known. It is more common in babies born to young mothers or to mothers who may have used alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy.
Also known as: laparoschisis
Patient organizations
- The Gobal Gastroschisis FoundationGastroschisis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Gastroschisis.
Explore research for Gastroschisis
Explore actively recruiting Gastroschisis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Gastroschisis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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