Gastroschisis: a birth defect seen in increasing numbers in Oklahoma?

OBJECTIVE

To identify if an actual increase in children born with gastroschisis is occurring in Oklahoma. To compare findings with historical and current literature concerning the incidence of this congenital malformation of the abdominal wall.

DATA

Derived from Children's Hospital of Oklahoma (CHO) medical records, inventory sheets completed by nurses and resident physicians on admission of gastroschisis infants at CHO, hospital records of Tulsa pediatric surgeons (Subramania Jegathesan, MD, and Richard Ranne, MD), and the state health departments of Oklahoma and Iowa.

FINDINGS

1. Increase in number of gastroschisis children born in Oklahoma. 2. Comparable findings in the state of Iowa. 3. No specific maternal or environmental factor to account for increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Children born with gastroschisis in Oklahoma and other areas of the country, as well as internationally, have shown an increase in number over the past two decades. This increase cannot be attributed to any one identifiable factor.