Abstract
A large proportion of babies with gastroschisis (GS) have low birth weights. It is not clear, however, whether only certain subgroups or the whole population of babies with GS have low birth weights. The aim of this study was to ascertain if the birth weights of babies with GS are significantly lower than those of the general population and to determine if the birth weights of babies with GS from two different populations were significantly different. From 1969 to 1995, 44 babies with GS were treated at Auckland Children's Hospital, New Zealand. From 1980 to 1993, 69 babies were treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital, England. For each group, the mean birth weight relative to the mean birth weight for gestation (WtStdev) was significantly different from zero (Auckland = −0.806, Birmingham = −0.762,P < 0.001, one-sample analysis). The mean WtStdev scores from each centre were not significantly different from each other. Our data demonstrate that the birth weights of babies with GS are significantly lower than those of the general population and are similar in different populations. These findings support the notion that a normally functioning intestinal tract is essential for normal fetal growth.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fries MH, Filly RA, Callen PW, Goldstein RB, Goldberg JD, Golbus MS (1993) Growth retardation in prenatally diagnosed cases of gastroschisis. J Ultrasound Med 12: 583–588
Crawford RA, Ryan G, Wright VM, Rodeck CH (1992) The importance of serial biophysical assessment of fetal wellbeing in gastroschisis. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 99: 899–902
Bryant MS, Tepas J Jr, Mollitt DL, Talbert JL, String DL (1989) The effect of initial operative repair on the recovery of intestinal function in gastroschisis. Am Surg 55: 209–211
O'Neill JA, Grosfeld JL (1974) Intestinal malfunction after antenatal exposure of viscera. Am J Surg 127: 129–132
Lopez de Torre B, Tovar JA, Uriarte S, Aldazabal P (1992) The nutrition of the fetus with intestinal atresia: studies in the chick embryo model. J Pediatr Surg 27: 1325–1328
Mulvihill SJ, Stone MM, Debas HT, Fonkalsrud EW (1985) The role of amniotic fluid in fetal nutrition. J Pediatr Surg 20: 668–672
Guaran RL, Wein P, Sheedy M, Walstab J, Beischer NA (1994) Update of growth percentiles for infants born in an Australian population. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 34: 39–50
Jolleys A (1981) An examination of the birth weights of babies with some abnormalities of the alimentary tract. J Pediatr Surg 16: 160–163
Surana R, Puri P (1994) Small intestinal atresia: effect on fetal nutrition. J Pediatr Surg 29: 1250–1252
Pierro A, Cozzi F, Colarossi IM, Irving AM, Pierce AM, Lister J (1987) Does fetal gut obstruction cause hydramnios and growth retardation. J Pediatr Surg 22: 454–457
Trahair JF, Harding R (1995) Restitution of swallowing in the fetal sheep restores intestinal growth after midgestation esophageal obstruction. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 20: 156–161
Wesson DE, Muraji T, Kent G, Filler RM, Almalchi T (1984) The effect of intrauterine esophageal ligation on growth of fetal rabbits. J Pediatr Surg 19: 398–399
Langer JC, Longaker MT, Crombleholme TM, Bond SJ, Finkbeiner WE, Rudolph CA, Verrier ED, Harrison MR (1989) Etiology of intestinal damage in gastroschisis. I: Effects of amniotic fluid exposure and bowel constriction in a fetal lamb model. J Pediatr Surg 24: 992–997
Langer JC, Bell JG, Castillo RO, Crombleholme TM, Longaker MT, Duncan BW, Bradley SM, Finkbeiner WE, Verrier ED, Harrison MR (1990) Etiology of intestinal damage in gastroschisis. II. Timing and reversibility of histological changes, mucosal function, and contractility. J Pediatr Surg 25: 1122–1126
Shaw K, Buchmiller JL, Curr M, Lam MM, Habib R, Chopourian HL, Diamond JM, Fonkalsrud EW (1994) Impairment of nutrient uptake in a rabbit model of gastroschisis. J Pediatr Surg 29: 376–378
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blakelock, R.T., Upadbyay, V., Pease, P.W.B. et al. Are babies with gastroschisis small for gestational age?. Pediatr Surg Int 12, 580–582 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01371903
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01371903