The management of gastroschisis involves immediate surgery and post-surgery nutritional management. Ileus is a frequent complication, leading to difficulties in establishing enteral feeding. Parasympathomimetic agents, including neostigmine, are safely used in case of ileus in adults. Neostigmine was used in a single neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for the management of ileus after gastroschisis repair.

The aim of this study was to report this experience of neostigmine use to improve digestive motility and its tolerance.

This is an observational study from electronic health records (EHRs) that included all infants born with gastroschisis and treated with neostigmine in a NICU in Lyon, France, between June 2009 and December 2023. The primary outcome was the time to achieve effective enteral nutrition after the introduction of neostigmine. Secondary outcomes of tolerance and efficacy were also collected from the medical records. This study received approval from an ethics committee.

Among 86 patients with gastroschisis, 16 patients received neostigmine due to either large volumes of gastric residue or absence of transit. They received neostigmine at a median (IQR) of 13.5 (12;17.25) days of life. Effective enteral feeding was achieved after a median of 11 (5.75;13) days of neostigmine treatment. Neostigmine was well tolerated, apart from one case of a serious but quickly resolved adverse event after intravenous administration.

The use of oral neostigmine in neonates with gastroschisis appears to be effective and safe. Larger prospective studies are required to determine its possible place in the management of these newborns.