Objective In gastroschisis, an inflammatory process related to the presence of digestive compounds may be involved in intestinal damage. We measured the amniotic fluid concentrations of total protein, ferritin and amylase, lipase, g-glutamyl transferase and bile acids before each amnioexchange performed in women whose infants had gastroschisis. We estimated the correlation among total proteins, ferritin and digestive compounds and postnatal outcome. Design All women whose infants had gastroschisis in our fetal medicine unit are offered repeated amnioexchange during the third trimester of pregnancy to improve the quality of the exteriorised bowel at birth. Amniotic fluid was sampled at the beginning of each amnioexchange and total proteins, ferritin and digestive compounds were assayed. Setting This study was conducted in the Department of Perinatology of the University Hospital Robert Debré in Paris. Population Thirty pregnant women with a gastroschisis affected fetus diagnosed antenatally. MethodsThe biological results were expressed as multiples of the median with respect to a control population. Main outcome measure Gestational age at delivery and the outcome of the infants were recorded and correlated with amniotic fluid total proteins, ferritin and digestive compounds. Results There was a positive correlation ( P < 0.01) between digestive compounds (except amylase at the final amnioexchange) and ferritin on the one hand, and all digestive compounds and total proteins concentration at the final amnioexchange on the other. In addition, among total proteins amylase and lipase, lipase concentrations were related with parameters of short term outcome ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Amniotic total proteins and ferritin are elevated in fetuses presenting with gastroschisis as a consequence of an inflammatory process. Inflammation may be induced by the presence of digestive compounds in the amniotic fluid. The concentrations of which may constitute a marker of short term outcome of the newborn infant.

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