Traditional knowledge holds that there is a 3.5% chance of having another child with gastroschisis, but studies show that this is greatly underestimated67 and there “may be higher risk of recurrence than previously known”68. However, multiple studies have shown that there is a familial component to this birth defect. Both the maternal and paternal history should be considered69 and well as any family history of hernias70. A unique multi-generational pedigree study from Utah recently showed that 23% of gastroschisis cases had a familial relation and demonstrated a need for further studies into genetic susceptibility for gastroschisis71.
NOTE: The Utah Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention is currently studying multigenerational families for genetic links to birth defects, including gastroschisis. Utah is the only state with this capability72. For more information or to participate in the study, contact 866-818-709673.
67. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20850644
68. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajmg.1320450414/abstract
69. http://sonoworld.com/fetus/page.aspx?id=237
70. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/155396
71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21987464
72. http://health.utah.gov/ubdn/leftNav/studies.html
73. http://health.utah.gov/ubdn/leftNav/Study_Gastro_Brochure.pdf