Epidemiology: Gastroschisis is an interesting disorder to track the prevalence and causes of. According to the Journal of Medical Genetics, their study found that Gastroschisis is strongly correlated with a very low maternal age. The prevalence of Gastroschisis among this population in the past was 1 in 50,000 births and has since increased by 10 and 20 fold. As this increase in prevalence is strongly correlated with low maternal aged mothers, this study found that the genetic reason behind this is still an unknown factor. In conclusion this study found that it is difficult to predict and determine epidemiologic data, this is because there are differing views between published data as a result of differences in each studies definition of Gastroschisis. Most of the time Gastroschisis is rare and isolated making it fairly easy to detect prenatally. This allows time for proper treatment with low morbidity an mortality rates. Prenatal diagnosis of this disorder is vital to proper postnatal care. With early diagnosis we can ensure adequate planning of delivery, making sure that the proper staff is ready and available. However this study found that because Gastroschisis hits disproportionately, the vulnerable and very young populations are at most risk. Along with this data they also found that Gastroschisis is more common in Caucasians than in African Americans and Orientals, making it clear there needs to be more studies done that examine the role that genes play in the incidence of Gastroschisis.
Castilla EE, Mastroiacovo P, Orioli IM. 2008. Gastroschisis: International epidemiology and public health perspectives. Am J Med Genet Part C Semin Med Genet 148C: 162-179.
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