Gastroschisis and the Use of Prenatal Ultrasound

Gastroschisis is an anterior abdominal wall defect, usually to the right of the umbilicus. The defect results in herniation of fetal bowel into the amniotic cavity. The absence of a protective membrane around the bowel is the main difference with exomphalos, which is the other most common abdominal wall defect. It is usually an isolated abnormality and the prognosis is mainly determined by the condition of the bowel at birth.