Presentation
2nd trimester antenatal ultrasound demonstrated herniated bowel loops floating in the amniotic fluid.
Patient Data
There is herniation of small bowel loops through a right paraumbilical abdominal wall defect. Air is seen in the stomach. There is no solid organ herniation evident.
Case Discussion
Gastroschisis refers to extra-abdominal herniation (evisceration) of fetal or neonatal bowel loops (and occasionally portions of the stomach and or liver) into the amniotic cavity through a para-umbilical abdominal wall defect.
Unlike omphalocoeles (herniation through the base of the umbilical cord and are surrounded by amniotic membrane), associated anomalies are rare in gastroschisis.