Gastroschisis & omphalocele, the abdominal wall defect.

So, the doctor has just told you that your baby has a condition known as gastroschisis, and you have absolutely no clue why and how this is happening to you. Can you answer the following question ?

1. Did you take any anti-depressants like Zoloft® during your pregnancy ? 
2. Do you know you may be entitled to compensation ? Bet you didn't. 

If so then this is the most likely reason that your child was born with his or her stomach and bowel outside the body.

Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect, and it is has been linked to the consumption of SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) during pregnancy. The stomach and bowel protrude from a small opening near the belly button. Babies born with this condition will require one or more surgeries to rectify it. Everything is returned back into the body, and the opening closed. In addition to this, treatment also includes the use of antibiotics and IV feeding.

Gastroschisis is somewhat similar to omphalocele, in which other organs like the liver, or even the intestines, protrude. This happens when the muscles in the abdominal wall (umblical ring) don't develop properly. The main difference between the two is that omphalocele is an umbilical cord defect whilst gastroschisis isn't.

Image courtesy of: http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Approximately 25 - 40% of babies born with omphalocele also have other birth defects, and these may very well be due to anti-depressants like Zoloft®.

Omphalocele is easily corrected with surgery, as is gastroschisis, but it is a delicate procedure. The protruding organs are simply returned into the abdomen.

Zoloft®, and the other SSRI's like Celexa®, Effexor®, or Prozac®, for example, are responsible for a number of birth defects in children like gastroschisis and omphalocele.