Long-term outcomes of 57 children with complex gastroschisis (cGS) treated at a single center between 2008–2016, with a median follow-up of 9.7 years; parent-reported quality of life, cognitive functioning, and GI symptoms were assessed via telephone survey using PedsQL™ scales and compared to simple gastroschisis and healthy reference populations.
Survival was 100%; 28.1% required at least one abdominal reoperation and 15.8% were hospitalized for nonoperative small bowel obstruction. Overall parent-reported quality of life was similar to simple gastroschisis and healthy controls, but cognitive functioning and GI symptom domains (diarrhea, constipation, reflux) were worse; ADHD was reported in 34.8% (8/23) of surveyed patients.
Single-center retrospective design limits generalizability; only 23 of 57 parents completed the survey, introducing potential response bias; outcomes rely on parent-reported data rather than objective neurodevelopmental or GI testing.
Children with complex gastroschisis need long-term multidisciplinary follow-up — screen routinely for persistent GI symptoms, growth, and neurodevelopmental issues (especially ADHD) well into childhood. Surgical readiness for abdominal reoperation should remain part of ongoing care planning, as more than 1 in 4 patients required it.
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