Gastroschisis is a type of abdominal wall defect in which the intestines and sometimes other organs develop outside the fetal abdomen through an opening in the abdominal wall. It is often detected through AFP screening or a detailed fetal ultrasound.
Genetic counseling and further genetic testing, such as amniocentesis, may be offered during the pregnancy as some abdominal wall defects are associated with genetic disorders. If there is no additional genetic problems or birth defects, surgery soon after birth can often repair the opening.
