At the 2009 Clincial Congress for American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) , clinicians from around the world stated the number of infants with gastroschisis (GS) is growing. Over the last decade the occurrence has increased from 2.0/1000 to 6.2/1000 NICU discharges. This article addresses the maternal risk factors, clinical presentation and management of the infant with GS. The management focuses on the infant's nutritional needs and a "nutrition protocol" developed by the author is presented.

Purpose:
To present the nutritional needs of infants with gastroschisis.

Program Objectives:
* Define gastroschisis.

* Identify the need for specialized nutritional support of neonates with gastroschisis.

* Describe the complications associated with gastroschisis.

Faculty Name: Jacqueline J. Wessel, MEd, RD, CNSD, CSP, CLE

Title: Neonatal Nutritionist

Bio: Jacqueline J. Wessel is a Neonatal Nutritionist in the Regional Center for Neonatal Intensive Care at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Program Date: December 2009

Program Expiration Date: December 2011

Media Format(s): Print (English)

Continuing Education Units: Nurse 1.0 Contact Hour