Etiology and outcome of fetal echogenic bowel. Ten years of experience.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency of certain etiologies in fetal echogenic bowel and the related pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
A retrospective study including 215 cases. Ultrasound findings included bowel abnormality, malformations, growth retardation and Doppler abnormalities. Amniocentesis was performed in 196 cases to screen for abnormalities in karyotype, cystic fibrosis gene and infection. The color of amniotic fluid and a history of first-trimester bleeding were also noted. Outcome according to different etiologies was reported.


RESULTS
112 cases (57%) had a known etiology, which included chromosomal abnormality (7%), infection (4%), cystic fibrosis (1.5%), bowel abnormality (3%), bleeding or stained amniotic fluid (11%), Doppler abnormality (14%), malformation (16%) and miscellaneous (0.5%). Pregnancy was terminated in 39 cases and fetal demise complicated one third of the cases (13) of severe growth retardation.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal echogenic bowel should be investigated and a careful follow-up is necessary if there is associated Doppler perturbation or growth retardation.
Kesrouani
Assaad K
AK
Perinatalogy Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris, France.
Guibourdenche
Jean
J
Muller
Françoise
F
Denamur
Eric
E
Vuillard
Edith
E
Garel
Catherine
C
Delezoide
Anne Lise
AL
Eydoux
Patrice
P
Tachdjian
Gerard
G
Lebon
Pierre
P
de Lagausie
Pascal
P
Sibony
Olivier
O
Bauman
Clarisse
C
Oury
Jean-François
JF
Luton
Dominique
D
D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography