Prenatally Diagnosed Anterior Abdominal Wall Defects

Objective : Anterior abdominal wall defects are classified into three basic types: omphalocele, gastroschisis and bodystalk anomaly. Its incidence and prognosis are different according to each type of anomaly. We aimed at investigating its demographic characteristics and risk factors. Methods : From Jan. 1996 to Jun. 2002, 20 cases of anterior abdominal wall defects were diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and all ultrasonographic findings and delivery records were reviewed. Results : We had experienced 13 cases of omphalocele, 5 cases of gastroschisis and 2 cases of bodystalk anomaly. Mean maternal age was 29.9 () years in omphalocele, 25.6 () in gastroschiss, 32 () in bodystalk anomaly. The median gestational weeks at the time of diagnosis was 17.6 for omphalocele, 20 for gastroschisis, 14.5 for bodystalk anomaly. Live born cases were 3 in omphalocele, 1 in gastroschisis and none in bodystalk anomaly. Of the 13 cases of chromosomal analyses, there was one case of trisomy 18 in omphalocele. Multiple anomalies were found in all bodystalk anomalies including kyphoscoliosis, facial defect, central nervous system defects. 54% of associated anomalies were found in omphalocele and no associated anomaly in gastroschisis. Conclusion : Omphaloceles were most frequently detected in abdominal wall defects and the gastroschisises were the next. Our results suggested that the pathogenesis of anterior abdominal wall defect might be different one another, but we could not find out definite risk factors for the individual type of defect.