A Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life in Children Managed for Omphalocele and Gastroschisis.

Background: Evaluation of quality of life (QoL) in paediatric surgical patients has not always received enough attention in the past. Our aim was to follow up patients with abdominal wall defects for a decade and (1) to analyse children's view on QoL and to analyse parent's view on QoL, (2) to evaluate satisfaction and psychological problems, (3) to assess present complaints including subjective aspects such as food intake, reduced appetite, pain in scar area and general abdominal pain and (4) verifiable clinical symptoms assessed through a physical examination and ultrasound. It was hypothesised that QoL would differ from gastroschisis (GS) and omphalocele (OC) children depending on the type of abdominal wall defect.

Does meconium contaminated amniotic fluid affect intestinal wall thickness and functional outcome in patients with anterior abdominal wall defects?

Background: Gastroschisis (GS) and omphalocele (OC) are congenital abdominal wall defects, the main difference between is the direct exposure of intestinal loops in amniotic fluid in children with a GS. This leads to a reduced primary closure rate and a higher number of intraoperative abnormalities and post-operative complications.

Aims And Objectives: We analysed abdominal wall defect patients over an 11-year period, aiming to assess the influence of meconium-contaminated amniotic fluid.

Risk factors for abdominal wall defects.

In the last decades, the prevalence of gastroschisis (GS) has increased worldwide. The purpose of this study was to identify maternal risk factors explaining the described gain and to identify differences between GS and omphalocele (OC). A case-control design was used to compare GS (n = 36) and OC (n = 18) mothers to control group (CG; n = 30) matched for maternal age.