LATE FOLLOW-UP IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROSCHISIS - GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX IS COMMON

During a 16-year period, 60 neonates with gastroschisis were treated a t the Department of Pediatric Surgery in Graz; 6 died and 54 (90%) sur vived. A questionnaire was sent to 45 patients, who were called for a medical examination; 31 patients (69%) came to follow-up, 26 of whom r eported minor abdominal problems that could be related to gastroesopha geal reflux (GER), Fifteen agreed to 24-h esophageal pH monitoring and /or upper gastrointestinal series; in 7 pathological GER could be demo nstrated. Manometric studies in 6 patients revealed a motility disorde r of the esophagus. Only 4 children were concerned by a disfiguring sc ar or the absence of a navel, Height and weight were within normal lim its and the children had developed normally.