Patient case: Gastroschisis
A newborn girl is delivered at 36 weeks gestation via caesarean section due to suspected foetal distress. Upon delivery, the attending team immediately notices that her intestines are protruding outside her abdominal wall through a defect to the right of the umbilicus. The exposed bowel is pink and moist but not covered by a membrane.
The baby is stabilized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and a thorough evaluation reveals no other congenital anomalies. She is placed on parenteral nutrition to support her growth and hydration while awaiting surgery. A diagnosis of gastroschisis is confirmed, and surgery is scheduled to return the exposed bowel to the abdominal cavity and close the defect.
Post-surgery, the baby is closely monitored for any signs of infection or complications, such as bowel obstruction. With appropriate care and follow-up, the child gradually stabilizes, and feeding is introduced once her bowel function returns to normal.
A) Difficulty breathing
B) Protruding intestines outside the abdominal wall
C) Heart murmur
D) Abnormal cranial shape
A) Omphalocele
B) Gastroschisis
C) Hernia
D) Diaphragmatic hernia
A) Immediate feeding by mouth
B) Parenteral nutrition and surgical correction
C) Antimicrobial therapy only
D) Observation without intervention
A) Respiratory distress
B) Infection and bowel obstruction
C) Cardiac arrhythmias
D) Hearing loss
