SUMMARY Purpose: to evaluate the role of prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis in the quality of assistance to and in the evolution of neonates with gastroschisis. Methods: a retrospective survey of 25 charts of neonates with gastroschisis treated at the State University of Campinas, between January 1989 and June 1998. Results: comparing the groups with prenatal (PN) and neonatal (NN) diagnosis, no differences regarding incidence of prematurity, birth weight and relations hip between weight and gestational age were observed. The median time from birth to surgery was 5 h. Such interval was shorter in the PN than the NN group (2.25 h versus 13 h; p<0.05). Primary closure of the defect was achieved in 17 neonates (68%) of both groups. Although this difference was not statistically significant, survival was higher among infants of the PN group (85.7% versus 45.5%). Conclusions: prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis contributes favorably to improve perinatal assistance, resulting in reduced mortality of these children.
Gastroschisis; Prenatal Diagnosis.; rth defects
