Outcomes for fetal echogenic bowel during the second trimester ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between fetal echogenic bowel (FEB) during the second trimester and perinatal outcome.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of FEB during the second trimester over 3 years.


RESULTS
A total of 56 women were identified of 9067 screened (0.6%) women. Forty-seven agreed to genetic counseling (84%). Of those, 22 (39%) agreed to an amniocentesis. There were three cases of trisomy 21, one case of trisomy 18 and one case of fetal CMV infection. Twelve fetuses had an adverse outcome (21%), with only three of them having an echogenic bowel as the only finding.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, almost 80% of the fetuses had an uncomplicated perinatal outcome. FEB was present as the only finding in only 5% of the fetuses with an adverse outcome. A potential association with placental abnormalities and a low prevalence of viral infections was observed. These findings may be of use in counseling parents.
Iruretagoyena
Jesus I
JI
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine Division, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. iruretagoyen@wisc.edu
Bankowsky
Heather
H
Heiser
Timothy
T
Birkeland
Laura
L
Grady
Margo
M
Shah
Dinesh
D
D000465:Algorithms; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D058535:Echogenic Bowel / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal