Prolonged intestinal exposure to amniotic fluid does not result in peel formation in gastroschisis

The etiology of bowel wall changes in infants with gastroschisis remains un known. Currently, debate focuses on the relative roles of amniotic fluid ex posure versus that of intestinal ischemia. The authors report five cases of prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis in which the bower was exposed to amnio tic fluid for up to 21.3 weeks without developing any visible intestinal pe el. These cases appear to minimize the role of prolonged amniotic fluid exp osure in the development of bowel wall changes in gastroschisis. J Pediatr Surg 34:975-476. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.