Late follow-up in patients with gastroschisis : Gastroesophageal reflux is common.

During a 16-year period, 60 neonates with gastroschisis were treated at the Department of Pediatric Surgery in Graz; 6 died and 54 (90%) survived. A questionnaire was sent to 45 patients, who were called for a medical examination; 31 patients (69%) came to follow-up, 26 of whom reported minor abdominal problems that could be related to gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Fifteen agreed to 24-h esophageal pH monitoring and/or upper gastrointestinal series; in 7 pathological GER could be demonstrated. Manometric studies in 6 patients revealed a motility disorder of the esophagus. Only 4 children were concerned by a disfiguring scar or the absence of a navel. Heigtt and weight were within normal limits and the children had developed normally.