[Laparoschisis: a familial form].

BACKGROUND--Familial cases of gastroschisis are exceptional. CASE REPORT NO. 1--A boy was admitted at birth suffering from gastroschisis. Surgical repair was done but the patient died on day 24 with septicemia. CASE REPORT NO 2--Fifteen years later, gastroschisis was discovered by ultrasonography in a male fetus (GA = 26 weeks). Successful surgical repair was done just after the birth at a normal term. Mothers of both cases were sisters. CONCLUSIONS--The rare familial cases of gastroschisis have been seen in sibships. This is the first familial case seen in first cousins.