What is the Difference Between Omphalocele and Gastroschisis?

Omphalocele and gastroschisis are both congenital defects of the abdominal wall that result in intestinal herniation from the abdominal cavity. However, there are some key differences between the two:

Omphalocele:

• The hole is in the belly button, and the intestines are covered by a thin sac.
• The umbilical cord is in the center of the defect.
• Omphalocele commonly occurs along with other birth defects, such as heart defects and trisomy 13.
• The intestines do not return to the abdominal cavity and remain within the extra-embryonic coelom.

Gastroschisis:

• The opening is near the belly button (usually to the right) but not directly over it, like in omphalocele.
• The intestines are not covered by a protective sac.
• The intestines can be detected prenatally using fetal ultrasonography.

Both conditions are usually diagnosed before birth with routine prenatal ultrasonography. The lack of a protective sac in gastroschisis exposes the intestines to amniotic fluid in utero, leading to a thick inflammatory film or peel overlying the intestine and causing a delay in the return of intestinal herniation. In both cases, a doctor will perform surgery to put the intestines and any other affected organs into their proper positions.

Comparative Table: Omphalocele vs Gastroschisis

Omphalocele and gastroschisis are two rare birth defects that affect the abdominal wall, causing the baby to be born with some of their internal organs exposed. While they share similarities in presentation and treatment, there are key differences between the two conditions:

Both conditions are visible at birth and can affect how a newborn digests food. In both cases, a doctor will perform surgery to put the intestines and any other affected organs into their proper place.