Gastroschisis Awareness Day

Gastroschisis Awareness Day is held on July 30th, referring to a birth defect where there is a hole in the abdominal wall beside the belly button. It means that the baby’s intestines, and sometimes other organs such as the liver, are found outside their body, exiting through the hole. Gastroschisis usually occurs during early pregnancy and is immediately seen at birth. Estimates show that about 1 in every 1,953 babies are born with the defect in the United States annually.