Introduction:
Gastroschisis is a congenital anomaly in which loops of intestine are displaced outside the abdominal cavity through a defect in the abdominal wall. The incidence is steadily increasing. It is particularly attributed to young maternal age. The defect requires urgent surgical intervention after birth.

Aim:
The article aims to present the methods and early outcomes of surgical treatment of new-borns with gastroschisis in the context of pre- and postnatal examinations, and attempts to identify risk factors for the occurrence of the defect.

Material and methods:
The study used data derived from medical records of 18 patients of the Regional Specialist Children’s Hospital in Olsztyn. Prenatal, peri- and postoperative outcomes were analysed. The new-borns were classified with simple and complex gastroschisis.

Results and discussion:
The defect was diagnosed prenatally in 15 new-borns. In 16 cases, gestation was terminated by caesarean section. The mean maternal age at birth was 23 years; 14 woman were pregnant for the first time. All new-borns were operated on on day 1 of life. In 14 patients, primary closure of the abdominal wall was performed. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 13.31 days, of total parenteral nutrition – 29 day, to the first administration of enteral nutrition – 11.88 days and the mean length of hospital stay was 39.75 days, in the group of infants with simple gastroschisis.

Conclusions:
Gastroschisis is a severe anomaly causing an immediate threat to life. The optimal treatment procedure is the primary closure of the abdominal wall. The use of silastic sac enables the staged closure. Risk factors include young maternal age and primiparity.