Transient bowel ischaemia of the fetus.
OBJECTIVE
To discover the different underlying conditions in 2 fetuses suffering from temporary bowel ischaemia.


METHODS
Abnormal bowel findings were detected using antenatal sonography.


RESULTS
The abnormal bowel findings disappeared postnatally. Transient ischaemia of the fetal bowel due to different causes has been advocated antenatally to explain the abnormal findings. When a normal blood supply to the bowel has been restored, either in utero or after birth, the abnormal findings disappear.


CONCLUSIONS
Whenever gut dilatation is detected in a fetus at risk of bowel ischaemia the possibility of a transient functional finding must be considered.
Ghi
Tullio
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MRI Section, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. tullioghi@yahoo.com
Tani
Giovanni
G
Carletti
Angela
A
Basile
Barbara
B
Rizzo
Nicola
N
Pilu
Gianluigi
G
Bovicelli
Luciano
L
D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000196:embryology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal