Outcomes in gastroschisis: expectations in the postnatal period for simple vs complex gastroschisis

Objective To provide generalizable estimates for expected outcomes of simple gastroschisis (SG) and complex gastroschisis (CG) patients from a large multi-institutional cohort for use during counseling. Study design A retrospective study of 394 neonates with gastroschisis at 11 children’s hospitals from January 2013 to March 2017 was performed. Analysis by Fisher’s exact tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed. Outcomes of complex and simple gastroschisis are reported. Result There were 315 (80%) SG and 79 (20%) CG. CG had increased time from birth to closure (6 vs 4.4 days), closure to goal feeds (69 vs 23 days), ventilator use (90% vs 73%), SSIs (31% vs 11%), NEC (14% vs 6%), PN use (71 vs 24 days), LOS (104.5 vs 33 days), and mortality (11% vs 0%). Conclusion This study provides generalizable estimates for expected outcomes of patients with both SG and CG that can be utilized during counseling. CG has significantly worse in-hospital outcomes.