| Feature | Gastroschisis | Omphalocele | Umbilical Hernia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Paraumbilical (Right) | Midline (Umbilical ring) | Midline (Umbilical ring) |
| Covering | None (Exposed viscera) | Sac (Peritoneum + Amnion) | Skin |
| Associations | None (Isolated) | Trisomies (13, 18, 21), Beckwith-Wiedemann | Congenital Hypothyroidism, Down Syndrome |
| Maternal AFP | Markedly ↑ | Slightly ↑ | Normal |
| Tx/Outcome | Surgery; Good prognosis | Surgery; Prognosis depends on anomalies | Spontaneous closure (wait until age 2-5) |
Tip
Unlike in cases of omphalocele, gastroschisis does not manifest with a hernia sac.
Mnemonic
Omphalocele keeps your gut O-sealed (covered with peritoneum), but in Gastroschisis, the Gut freezes (herniates through the abdominal wall without being covered by peritoneum).