Perinatal outcomes of antenatally diagnosed omphalocele and gastroschisis: a survey from a university hospital

Objective: To evaluate the clinical features and perinatal outcomes of antenatally diagnosed fetuses with omphalocele and gastroschisis. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study of prenatally diagnosed fetuses with omphalocele and gastroschisis followed-up and delivered at a university hospital. Demographic, pregnancy, birth and perinatal outcomes were compared between gastroschisis and omphalocele. Results: A total of 75 fetuses with omphalocele and 21 cases with gastroschisis were evaluated. The mean maternal age of women carrying a fetus with omphalocele was significantly higher than the women with gastroschisis (p=0.001). Associated structural anomalies were found in 53.3% and 4.7% of fetuses with omphalocele and gastroschisis, respectively (p<0.001). The rate of chromosomal anomaly was 8.3% in pregnancies with omphalocele. In liveborn pregnancies, the mean gestational age at delivery and birth weight did not differ between the study groups. Time to postoperative oral intake, duration of parenteral nutrition and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in babies with gastroschisis than omphalocele (p<0.01). Rates of termination, intrauterine, neonatal and infant death of fetuses with omphalocele were 25.3%, 6.7%, 10.7% and 2.7% respectively. Time to postoperative oral intake, duration of parenteral nutrition and duration of hospitalization were significantly longer in babies with complex compared to simple gastroschisis (p<0.01). Survival rates were 95.2%, 82.9% and 20% in fetuses with gastroschisis, isolated and non-isolated omphalocele, respectively. Conclusion: Associated structural and chromosomal anomalies were significantly more common in fetuses with omphalocele compared to those with gastroschisis. Prognosis of fetuses with omphalocele depended on the associated structural and chromosomal anomalies, whereas bowel compromise was the main determining factor in gastroschisis. (J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2024; 25: 152-8)