Intra-amniotic bleeding and fetal echogenic bowel.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between intra-amniotic bleeding and fetal echogenic bowel.


METHODS
Comprehensive fetal ultrasound examinations were done before and 12 hours after fetal transfusions. Follow-up ultrasound examinations were done weekly in 28 fetuses with intra-amniotic bleeding. Hyperechogenic bowel was diagnosed when the echogenicity of fetal bowel was similar to that of bone. Postpuncture bleeding was identified when a stream of echogenic material from the cord into the amniotic space was seen, lasting at least 60 seconds.


RESULTS
None of the fetuses had echogenic bowel before initial transfusions. Intra-amniotic bleeding was followed by bowel echogenicity in seven of 28 fetuses within the first 12 hours after bleeding episodes. Echogenic bowel remained in five fetuses 2 weeks after the bleeding episodes. In three fetuses, echogenic bowel was still seen 4 weeks later.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-amniotic bleeding can lead to echogenic bowel.
Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, New York University School of Medicine, Manhasset 11030, USA.
B
B
Petrikovsky
M
M
Smith-Levitin
N
N
Holsten
D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001805:Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal