Epidemiological profile of pregnant women and perinatal outcomes of newborns with gastroschisis from a single reference center in Northeastern Brazil

Objective: To determine the maternal epidemiological profile and perinatal outcomes of fetuses with gastroschisis at a reference center in Northeastern Brazil. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2014 and December 2022 using medical records. Inclusion criteria comprised of pregnancies ≥ 24 weeks, with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis confirmed in the postnatal period. Results: During the study period, 1,773 newborns with congenital anomalies were born at the service center, 50 were identified as having gastroschisis and four cases were excluded. Prevalence of gastroschisis was 11.5/10,000. Regarding the maternal sociodemographic profile, the mean age was 21 years, 38/46 (83%) were mixed, 34/46 (74%) had a partner, and 32/46 (70%) had high school education. Regarding associated maternal diseases, only 6/46 (13%) had hypertension, none had pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and 4/46 (8.7%) developed gestational diabetes mellitus. As for gastroschisis type, 33/46 (71%) were classified as simple, 11/46 (23.9%) as complex and 2/46 (4.4%) had no information. In 36/46 newborns with gastroschisis, primary closure was performed in the first surgery. The mean time of use of mechanical ventilation was 13 days, the mean time interval between surgery and ambient air was 8 days, the mean time of use of parenteral nutrition was 35 days, and the mean length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was 39 days. Clinical complications in newborns with gastroschisis included neonatal infection in 35/46 (76%), blood transfusion in 33/46 (72%), hydroelectrolytic disorders and sepsis in 29/46 (63%), and cholestasis and fungal infection/sepsis in 8/46 (17%). Neonatal death occurred in 16/46 (34.8%). Conclusion: Newborns with gastroschisis presented high rates of surgery with primary closure, blood transfusion and neonatal infection. Furthermore, we identified prolonged use of parenteral nutrition, long stay in the NICU, and prolonged use of antibiotic therapy. Key words: gastroschisis – prevalence – epidemiological profile – perinatal outcomes – reference center