gastroschisis
Pronunciation: gas-TROS-ki-sis
Congenital abdominal wall defect where bowel protrudes through a defect lateral to the umbilicus without a covering membrane.
Full Definition
A congenital abdominal wall defect characterized by herniation of bowel through a full-thickness defect in the anterior abdominal wall, typically located to the right of the umbilicus. Unlike omphalocele, the herniated bowel is not covered by a membrane and floats freely in amniotic fluid. On prenatal ultrasound and postnatal imaging, the bowel loops appear to float adjacent to the fetus without a covering sac. This condition requires immediate surgical intervention after birth and has implications for prenatal counseling and delivery planning.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with omphalocele; key differentiator is absence of covering membrane in gastroschisis.
In Context
- "The fetal ultrasound showed free-floating bowel loops consistent with gastroschisis rather than the membrane-covered herniation seen in omphalocele." — Prenatal radiology report
- "Post-delivery radiographs confirmed gastroschisis with no evidence of bowel obstruction or perforation." — Neonatal imaging report