Outcomes in gastroschisis: expectations in the postnatal period for simple vs complex gastroschisis

To provide generalizable estimates for expected outcomes of simple gastroschisis (SG) and complex gastroschisis (CG) patients from a large multi-institutional cohort for use during counseling. A retrospective study of 394 neonates with gastroschisis at 11 children’s hospitals from January 2013 to March 2017 was performed. Analysis by Fisher’s exact tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed. Outcomes of complex and simple gastroschisis are reported. There were 315 (80%) SG and 79 (20%) CG. CG had increased time from birth to closure (6 vs 4.4 days), closure to goal feeds (69 vs 23 days), ventilator use (90% vs 73%), SSIs (31% vs 11%), NEC (14% vs 6%), PN use (71 vs 24 days), LOS (104.5 vs 33 days), and mortality (11% vs 0%). This study provides generalizable estimates for expected outcomes of patients with both SG and CG that can be utilized during counseling. CG has significantly worse in-hospital outcomes.