My husband and I went to our 20 week ultrasound yesterday and found out we're going to have a beautiful baby boy! The first boy in my family for twenty years now so we're all excited and grateful.

But we also found out he has the birth defect gastroschisis. I've done a ton of research in the last 24 hours and have begun the process of trying to have the army hospital transfer us to a hospital who knows something about this defect. Ironically enough a man who is in my husband's squad's son has this as well, and the hospital on our base had treated it as no big deal and didn't stay on top of it and he's now a year and a half old with 7 surgeries and still not better. The doctor yesterday also gave me the wrong information about this problem. So needless to say I don't have much confidence in their ability to make my son better.

I was just wondering if any of you have been through this with your own children or know a child who has and if there's any questions I really need to ask my doctors, or what to be aware of, or what to prepare myself for; really anything. I was not prepared for this what so ever and am still a little to shell shocked to think straight or know where to start. Thanks

I don't know anybody who has been through this but I hope this information I found helps you. You and your baby are in my prayers. May God bless you both!

Gastroschisis is a birth defect in which an infant's intestines stick out of the body through a defect on one side of the umbilical cord.

Causes:
Gastroschisis is a type of hernia. Hernia means "rupture.” Babies with this condition have a hole in the abdominal wall, usually on the right side of the umbilical cord. The child's intestines can be easily seen.

The condition is similar to an omphalocele in appearance. An omphalocele, however, is a birth defect in which the infant's intestine or other abdominal organs stick out of the belly button area.

Other associated congenital defects are rare in patients with gastroschisis.

Symptoms:
Lump in the abdomen
Intestine sticks through the abdominal wall near the umbilical cord
Problems with movement and absorption in the gut due to the unprotected intestine being exposed to irritating amniotic fluid

Exams and Tests:
Physical examination of the infant is sufficient for the health care provider to diagnose gastroschisis. The mother may have shown signs indicating excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios). Prenatal ultrasonography often identifies the gastroschisis.

Treatment:
If identified before birth, mothers with gastroschisis need special monitoring to make sure the unborn baby remains and healthy. Plans should be made for careful delivery and immediate management of the problem after birth.

Treatment for gastroschisis is surgery. A surgeon will put the bowel back into the abdomen and close the defect, if possible. If the abdominal cavity is too small, a mesh sack is stitched around the borders of the defect and the edges of the defect are pulled up. Over time, the herniated intestine falls back into the abdominal cavity, and the defect can be closed.

Other treatments for the baby include nutrients by IV and antibiotics to prevent infection. The baby's temperature must be carefully controlled, since the exposed intestine allows a lot of body heat to escape.

Outlook (Prognosis):
Likelihood of recovery is good if the abdominal cavity is relatively large enough. A very small abdominal cavity may result in complications requiring additional surgery.