THE INFLUENCE OF THE MODE OF DELIVERY ON NEONATES WITH GASTROSCHISIS - WITH DATA OF THE STYRIAN MALFORMATION REGISTRY

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the influence of the mode of delivery on the outcome of children with gastroschisis. Methods: 38 c hildren were born and treated at the University Hospital of Graz betwe en 1977 and 1995. The perinatal and surgical data were analyzed retros pectively. Furthermore, we compared the prevalence of gastroschisis in Styria to international data. Results: The mode of delivery did not i nfluence the fetal outcome. The higher rate of acidosis and shorter in terval from rupture of the membranes to delivery in cases of cesarean section may be attributable to the obstetric decision for an operative delivery. The prevalence of gastroschisis is high as compared to Euro pean data. Conclusions: Our data and the majority of publications do n ot show a benefit of cesarean section for children with gastroschisis. A randomized prospective trial is still lacking to end controversies.