Gastroschisis is an abnormality of the abdominal wall that occurs at birth. The newborn’s intestines pass through a hole next to the belly button and are visible outside of the body. The hole might be small or big, and other organs—like the liver and stomach—can sometimes be seen outside the baby’s body.
The condition can happen when the muscles that form the newborn’s abdominal wall don’t grow properly early in pregnancy. A hole develops, allowing the intestines and other body organs to protrude from the body, typically to the right side of the abdomen. Furthermore, the intestines can become inflamed since they are not protected by a protective sac and are susceptible to amniotic fluid.
