Gastroschisis is a birth defect in which the baby's intestines extend outside of the abdomen through a hole next to the belly button.

[1] The size of the hole is variable, and other organs including the stomach and liver may also occur outside the baby's body.

[2] Complications may include feeding problems, prematurity, intestinal atresia, and intrauterine growth restriction.

[3][2] Rates are higher in babies born to mothers who smoke, drink alcohol, or are younger than 20 years old.

[2] In those with large defects, the exposed organs may be covered with a special material and slowly moved back into the abdomen.

The forces responsible for the movement of the lateral body wall folds are poorly understood, and a better understanding of these forces would help to explain why gastroschisis occurs mostly to the right of the umbilicus, while other ventral body wall defects occur in the midline.

[9] At least six hypotheses have been proposed for the pathophysiology: The first hypothesis does not explain why the mesoderm defect would occur in such a specific small area.

The third hypothesis was criticized due to no vascular supplement of anterior abdominal wall by umbilical vein.

[10] Gastroschisis requires surgical treatment to return the exposed intestines to the abdominal cavity and close the hole in the abdomen.

[18] The main cause for lengthy recovery periods is the time taken for the infant's bowel function to return to normal.