ISSN:
1437-9813
Keywords:
Gastroschisis
;
Omphalocele
;
Genetic etiology
;
Environ mental factors
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Gastroschisis, exceedingly rare in 1953 [6], has increased markedly in incidence in recent years. The present international survey by questionnaire of 490 cases of gastroschisis and omphalocele from 16 pediatric surgery centers on 4 continents reveals a marked spurt in the incidence of gastroschisis in 1972 and after. The gastroschisis-to-omphalocele ratio is highest in Scandinavia, northern Europe and the United States. The mothers of gastroschisis patients were found to be significantly younger (21.6 vs 26.7 years) than omphalocele mothers (P〈0.0001). Gastroschisis patients were more frequently premature by birth weight (58% vs 23%) and period of gestation (49% vs 16%). The rural-to-urban ratio of omphalocele was fairly uniform in all parts of the world reviewed, whereas that of gastroschisis varied widely from area to area with a range of 13% to 61%. Twinning and a family history of congenital disorders were more frequent in the omphalocele group. There was no evidence, from limited data of the involvement of legal drugs in the etiology of either gastroschisis or omphalocele. The data presented here suggest that omphalocele is more likely due to genetic etiology and gastroschisis more likely results from environmental (drug and pollutant) factors of fairly recent appearance. The need for a continuing and ongoing worldwide study of environmental and other factors in the etiology of both gastroschisis and omphalocele is stressed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00166870
