ETIOLOGY OF GASTROSCHISIS (1-4)

1. Gastroschisis is secondary to premature interruption of the right omphalomesenteric artery (which normally persists proximally as the superior mesenteric artery). This results in a full thickness abdominal wall defect.
2. Rupture of the anterior abdominal wall at an area of weakness caused by the normal involution of the right umbilical vein at 5 weeks gestational age.
3. It has been reported as a complication of vesico-amniotic shunting.

4. Vasoactive agents during pregnancy (1).
• Nicotine and other substances in cigarette smoke are vasoactive.
• Pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine (4).
• Cocaine (3).
5. Cases have been reported of a familial pattern of inheritance among siblings (2).

REFERENCES

1. Haddow JE, Palomaki GE, Holman MS. Young maternal age and smoking during pregnancy as risk factors for gastroschisis. Teratology 1993;47:225.
2. Torfs CP, Curry CJ. Familial cases of gastroschisis in a population based registry. Am J Med Genet 1993;45:465.
3. Hume RF, Gingras JL, Martin LS et.al. Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal anomalies associated with in utero cocaine exposure.Further support for cocaine induced vascular disruption teratogenesis. Fetal Diagn Ther 1994;9:239.
4. Torfs CP, Katz EA, Bateson TF et.al. Maternal medications and environmental exposures as risk factors for gastroschisis. Teratology 1996;54:84.