title: Nonobstructive Diffuse Dilated Bowel Loops: Prenatal Diagnosis, Fetal Characteristics and Neonatal Outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with a diagnosis of nonobstructive diffuse dilated bowel loops.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study of all pregnancies with fetal diagnosis of nonobstructive diffuse dilated bowel loops over 14 years in a large tertiary referral center. Fetomaternal and neonatal characteristics and outcomes were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven fetuses had sonograms showing diffuse dilated bowel loops; none of them had intestinal obstruction after labor. The median gestational age at diagnosis was 33 weeks 1 day (range, 27 weeks-34 weeks 1 day). The median gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks 1 day (range, 32 weeks 4 days-39 weeks 1 day). Four cases had premature rupture of membranes beyond 32 weeks. Four among the 7 had gastrointestinal manifestations. Three cases presented with hematochezia, which resolved with conservative treatment. One fetus had intractable diarrhea, had a diagnosis of rare microvillus inclusion disease, and died of sepsis after 92 days. Not a single case of Hirschsprung disease was observed in our group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonobstructive diffuse dilated bowel loops diagnosed in the second half of pregnancy are associated with premature rupture of membranes and premature labor. As neonatal gastrointestinal complications may be anticipated, prenatal parental counseling with a neonatologist and pediatric gastroenterologist should be conducted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Pinchas Borenstein Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Pinchas Borenstein Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pode-Shakked
authors.affiliation: Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berkenstadt
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bilik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polak Charcon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barshack
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Reuven
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Achiron
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Yinon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gilboa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
keywords: bowel loop; dilatation; fetus; microvillus; obstetric ultrasound; prenatal