Diagnosis

Placenta with Fetal Gastroschisis

Discussion

Gastroschisis, a fetal anomaly characterized by a defect in the abdominal wall, is associated with a specific abnormality of the amnionic epithelium.
The amnionic epithelial cells have a characteristic fine, uniform, extensive vacuolation.
Although this association was startling when it was first found, it is now known to be regularly present and is virtually diagnostic of gastroschisis.
It is not found in fetuses with omphalocele, a similar condition, and appears to have no influence on placental function.
The vacuoles contain lipid when examined electron-microscopically, but the origin of the lipid is still obscure.
When pregnancies <20 weeks are studied, the vacuolization of the epithelium is not yet present and so it accumulates only later in gestation.

Also often shows cholangiosis and immature villi for GA

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