Growth Failure Prevalence in Neonates with Gastroschisis: A Statewide Cohort Study

Objectives: To perform a multicenter study to assess growth failure in hospitalized infants with gastroschisis. Study design: This study included neonates with gastroschisis within sites in the University of California Fetal Consortium. The study's primary outcome was growth failure at hospital discharge, defined as a weight or length z score decrease >0.8 from birth. Regression analysis was performed to assess changes in z scores over time. Results: Among 125 infants with gastroschisis, the median gestational age was 37 weeks (IQR 35-37). Length of stay was 32 days (23-60); 55% developed weight or length growth failure at discharge (28% had weight growth failure, 42% had length growth failure, and 15% had both weight and length growth failure). Weight and length z scores at 14 days, 30 days, and discharge were less than birth (P <.01 for all). Weight and length z scores declined from birth to 30 days (−0.10 and −0.11 z score units/week, respectively, P <.001). Length growth failure at discharge was associated with weight and length z score changes over time (P <.05 for both). Lower gestational age was associated with weight growth failure (OR 0.70 for each gestational age week, 95% CI 0.55-0.89, P =.004). Conclusions: Growth failure, in particular linear growth failure, is common in infants with gastroschisis. These data suggest the need to improve nutritional management in these infants.