What are the characteristics of gastroschisis, a congenital anomaly (congenital defect) where an infant's intestines extend outside of the body through a hole next to the umbilical cord (umbilicus), specifically regarding its association with other anomalies, chromosomal disorders, location, and post-repair complications such as prolonged ileus (a condition of inhibited movement of the intestines)?

From the Research

The correct answer is (d) repair is followed by prolonged ileus. Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect characterized by herniation of intestines through a defect in the abdominal wall, typically to the right of an intact umbilical cord. Unlike option (a), gastroschisis is usually an isolated defect without other associated anomalies, as seen in a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery 1. It is not typically associated with chromosomal disorders as suggested in option (b). Option (c) is incorrect because gastroschisis defects occur to the right of the umbilical cord, not the left (which would be more characteristic of omphalocele). Following surgical repair of gastroschisis, patients commonly experience prolonged ileus, which is a temporary impairment of intestinal motility. This occurs because the exposed bowel often becomes thickened, edematous, and inflamed from exposure to amniotic fluid during development, leading to dysmotility that can persist for weeks after repair. Management typically involves extended periods of parenteral nutrition until normal bowel function returns, as supported by a study published in 2021 2. A more recent study from 2025 found that the Simil-Exit and primary closure techniques demonstrated favorable outcomes in patients with simple gastroschisis, with shorter operating times, less exposure of the small bowel loops to the environment, and better cosmetic results 3. However, the primary concern in gastroschisis repair remains the management of prolonged ileus and the optimization of nutritional support, as highlighted in a study from 2008 4. Key considerations in the management of gastroschisis include:

• Early surgical repair to minimize complications
• Aggressive management of intestinal dysmotility and prolonged ileus
• Optimization of nutritional support, including the use of parenteral nutrition and early enteral feeding
• Monitoring for potential complications, such as sepsis and intestinal obstruction. Overall, the management of gastroschisis requires a multidisciplinary approach, with a focus on optimizing outcomes and minimizing morbidity and mortality, as emphasized in a study from 2008 5.