Acute bowel perforation in a fetus with gastroschisis

Gastrcoschisis is a congenital anomaly with a reported incidence of 1 in 10 000 live births. Although prenatal diagnosis is move common with the wides pread use of biochemical markers and obstetric ultrasound, the role of ultr asound in the identification of the fetus that might need early interventio n has not been established. Acute bowel perforation was diagnosed by ultrasound at 34 weeks gestation i n a fetus with gastroschisis. An immediate Cesarean section was performed, followed by repair with primary closure. The neonatal outcome was favorable . The post-partum findings, including bowel pathology, confirmed the antena tal diagnosis. Acute bowel perforation can be diagnosed antenatally. Immediate interventio n, before further bowel injury occurs might enhance the ability of the surg eon to perform primary closure and obtain a favourable outcome.