Establishing Gastroschisis Care: Impact of Pediatric Surgical Services and a Dedicated Neonatal Surgical Unit on Survival of Gastroschisis in Rwanda
Through development of pediatric surgical capacity and systems changes, gastroschisis is survivable in an LMIC setting. Establishment of a neonatal surgical unit was associated with the ability to handle higher volumes of gastroschisis patients, with consistent and improving outcomes. Challenges include treatment of complicated patients, including those with complex gastroschisis. Ongoing experience and prospective data collection will guide initiatives to improve gastroschisis outcomes in Rwanda and support innovation for neonatal care in resource-limited settings.
Authors
- Elisée Rwagahirima
- Thomas M. Diehl (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5397-4579)
- Gisèle Juru Bunogerane
- Phillip J. Hsu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3405-8046)
- Robin T. Petroze (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5999-6971)
- Niki Matusko
- Japhet Ntezamizero
- Alain-Jules Ndibanje
- Axelle-Aimee Nduwimana
- Mohammed Javed
- Edmond Ntaganda
- Michael Adam Lemma
Institutions
- University of Wisconsin System (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- University of Michigan (US)
- University of Kigali (RW)
- Michigan United (US)
- Michigan Medicine (US)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (RW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Pediatric Surgery
- Published
- 2026-03-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2026.163110
- Primary Topic
- Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00