Doctors discovered something unusual in a baby before birth: a condition called gastroschisis, where part of the intestines develop outside the belly. But by the time the baby was born, the intestines had moved back inside—yet something was still very wrong. The baby’s intestines were twisted and blocked, making them much shorter than normal. This rare case shows why careful monitoring during pregnancy is so important. With multiple surgeries to stretch and reconnect the intestines, plus special nutrition support, the child is now healthy and growing well at nearly three years old.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: A single case of a baby with a rare birth defect where intestines that appeared outside the belly during pregnancy mysteriously moved back inside before birth, but were severely damaged and blocked.
  • Who participated: One newborn born at 32 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy (about 7 weeks early) with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis that changed during pregnancy.
  • Key finding: The baby was born with what looked like a normal belly on the outside, but surgery revealed severely shortened intestines (only 21 cm instead of the normal 200+ cm) with a complete blockage. After multiple surgeries to lengthen and reconnect the intestines, the child recovered well.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant and your baby is diagnosed with gastroschisis, regular ultrasound monitoring is critical because the condition can change in unexpected ways. This case highlights why delivery at a specialized hospital with experienced surgeons is essential for the best outcomes.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors are describing what happened with one specific patient in detail. The baby was first diagnosed with gastroschisis (a birth defect) at 16 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy using ultrasound. The doctors then performed ultrasounds every few weeks to monitor the baby’s development. They noticed something unusual: the intestines that were floating outside the belly seemed to disappear back inside, but the intestines inside the belly were getting bigger and more swollen, suggesting a blockage. The baby was delivered early by planned cesarean section at 32 weeks and 6 days. During surgery after birth, doctors discovered the true problem: the intestines were severely shortened and blocked.

This research approach is important because it documents a rare variation of a known birth defect. By carefully describing what happened before and after birth, doctors can help other medical teams recognize similar cases early. The detailed ultrasound monitoring showed that gastroschisis can change during pregnancy in ways doctors didn’t fully expect, which changes how they should prepare for delivery and surgery.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. However, case reports are valuable for documenting rare or unusual presentations of diseases. The strength of this report comes from the detailed ultrasound images taken throughout pregnancy and the complete surgical findings. Readers should understand that one case cannot prove something works for everyone, but it can alert doctors to watch for similar patterns in other patients.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that a baby diagnosed with gastroschisis during pregnancy appeared to have a normal belly at birth, but surgery revealed severe intestinal damage. The baby’s small intestine was only 21 centimeters long—about one-tenth of normal length. There was a complete blockage (called type III intestinal atresia) where the intestine was pinched off, and the first part of the small intestine (jejunum) was extremely dilated or swollen. The colon was also abnormally small. This combination of problems is called ‘vanishing gastroschisis’ because the visible defect seems to disappear, but serious internal damage remains. The doctors performed multiple surgeries to stretch the shortened intestines and connect them properly, eventually reaching 38 centimeters of usable intestine length.

After surgery, the baby required special nutrition delivered directly into the bloodstream (called parenteral nutrition) because the shortened intestines couldn’t absorb enough food normally. The baby spent 5 months in the hospital recovering from surgery and learning to digest food. By age 2 years and 8 months, the child was thriving and no longer needed the special nutrition support, suggesting the intestines adapted and grew over time.

Standard gastroschisis is a birth defect where intestines develop outside the belly and are visible at birth. This case is unusual because the intestines appeared to move back inside during pregnancy, but instead of being normal, they were severely damaged and shortened. This ‘vanishing’ form is extremely rare and represents a more severe version of the typical condition. The case demonstrates that prenatal ultrasound findings can change significantly during pregnancy, and what looks like improvement may actually indicate a more complex problem developing.

This is a single case report involving only one baby, so the findings cannot be generalized to all babies with gastroschisis or vanishing gastroschisis. We don’t know how common this condition really is or whether the treatment approach used here would work the same way for other patients. The long-term outcomes are only known for this one child at nearly 3 years old. Additionally, this case was managed at a specialized center with experienced surgeons, so outcomes might differ at other hospitals.

The Bottom Line

For pregnant women diagnosed with gastroschisis: (1) Receive care at a hospital with a specialized fetal medicine team—HIGH confidence; (2) Have regular ultrasound monitoring throughout pregnancy to watch for changes—HIGH confidence; (3) Plan delivery at a hospital with experienced pediatric surgeons—HIGH confidence; (4) Prepare for the possibility of multiple surgeries and extended hospitalization—MODERATE confidence based on this case. For healthcare providers: Consider vanishing gastroschisis in cases where prenatal gastroschisis diagnosis changes during pregnancy, and prepare families for potential severe intestinal complications.

Pregnant women diagnosed with gastroschisis should absolutely care about this case because it shows why careful monitoring matters. Healthcare providers managing gastroschisis should be aware of this rare variant. Parents of children with intestinal problems should understand that specialized surgical care can lead to good long-term outcomes. This case is less relevant for the general population without a gastroschisis diagnosis.

In this case, the baby required 5 months of hospitalization after birth for surgery and recovery. The child showed continued improvement over the following 2+ years, eventually becoming independent of special nutrition support. Realistic expectations for similar cases would include: weeks to months of hospitalization, multiple surgeries over time, gradual improvement in intestinal function over 1-3 years, and potential for good quality of life with appropriate medical care.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For pregnant women with gastroschisis diagnosis: Track ultrasound findings at each appointment, noting any changes in the size or location of the defect, intestinal dilation, or amniotic fluid levels. Record dates and key measurements to share with your medical team.
  • If you’re pregnant with a gastroschisis diagnosis: (1) Schedule and attend every recommended ultrasound appointment; (2) Deliver at a hospital with pediatric surgery capabilities; (3) Connect with the surgical team before delivery to discuss the birth plan; (4) Ask about specialized nutrition support options if your baby needs them after birth.
  • Long-term tracking for babies who’ve had gastroschisis surgery: Monitor feeding tolerance and growth, track nutrition support needs (whether special formulas or parenteral nutrition are still needed), note any digestive symptoms or complications, and maintain regular follow-up appointments with the pediatric surgery team. Use the app to record feeding amounts, weight gain, and any concerns to discuss with doctors.

This case report describes one baby’s experience with a rare birth defect and should not be considered medical advice. If you are pregnant and have been diagnosed with gastroschisis or any other birth defect, consult with your obstetrician and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for personalized guidance. If your baby has been diagnosed with gastroschisis or intestinal problems, work with your pediatric surgical team to develop an appropriate treatment plan. The outcomes described in this case may not apply to other patients, as each situation is unique. Always seek professional medical advice from qualified healthcare providers for diagnosis and treatment decisions.