ISOLATED HYPERECHOIC FETAL BOWEL - SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the significan ce of isolated hyperechoic fetal bowel. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five cases with prospective, ultrasonographic diagnosis of isolated hyperechoic fetal bowel were reviewed. Fetal variables, including aneuploidy, deox yribonucleic acid studies for cystic fibrosis, congenital infection, g rowth retardation, and intrauterine death were reported. RESULTS: Thir ty-four of the 45 cases (76%) resulted in live-born infants without de tected abnormalities. However, hyperechoic bower was associated with c ystic fibrosis in two cses (4%), congenital infection in two cases (4% ), and fetal alcohol syndrome in one case. Termination of pregnancy wa s elected in three cases and intrauterine fetal death occurred in thre e cases (7%). Growth retardation was observed in five of 39 (13%) live -born infants. CONCLUSION: Isolated hyperechoic fetal bower is associa ted with significant pathologic disorders. Women whose fetuses are dia gnosed as having isolated hyperechoic bowel should be offered addition al prenatal diagnostic options, including maternal serologic studies f or congenital infection, fetal karyotype, and deoxyribonucleic acid te sting for cystic fibrosis. In addition, continuing ultrasonographic ev aluation of fetal growth and antenatal biophysical assessment should b e considered.