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Observational Study
. 2023 Jan-Mar;20(1):46-50.
doi: 10.4103/ajps.ajps_178_21.

Prevalence of gastroschisis and its neonatal mortality in the Eastern Cape Province tertiary institutions

Sello S Machaea  1 , Milind R Chitnis  1 , Phumza Nongena  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Prevalence of gastroschisis and its neonatal mortality in the Eastern Cape Province tertiary institutions

Sello S Machaea et al. Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2023 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Context: Gastroschisis is a common abdominal wall defect faced by paediatric surgeons worldwide. Early gastroschisis detection, access to improved neonatal intensive care, parenteral nutrition and surgical techniques have led to a reported improvement in mortality of between 4% and 8% in high-income countries. In low to middle income countries, such as in Southern Africa, however, there is as much as 84% mortality among patients with gastroschisis. This is thought to be due to factors such as lack of antenatal screening, access to neonatal intensive care services and parenteral nutrition.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to calculate the prevalence of gastroschisis and report on its neonatal mortality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Settings and design: A retrospective observational study on all neonates with gastroschisis, presenting to a tertiary facility offering paediatric surgical services within the Eastern Cape Province from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018.

Subjects and methods: A convenience sampling method was used in retrieving patient files for the study period. Statistical analysis used: Stata version 13.

Results: Thirty-seven neonates were included in the study. The prevalence of gastroschisis ranged from 0.07% to 0.18% throughout the 3-year study. The majority (81%) of the neonates were outborn and delivered by mode of caesarean section. Nearly 60% (n = 22) were female. 54% (n = 20) of neonates died within the neonatal period.

Conclusions: The majority of the neonates in this study were outborn and female. Although their mortality rate was higher than reported in high-income countries, it was much improved from what is reported in the low to middle income countries.

Keywords: Abdominal wall defect; gastroschisis; neonatal mortality.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patient participation
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cause of death
Figure 3
Figure 3
Survival analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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