PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF THE FETUS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS AND MECONIUM ILEUS

The sonographic finding of hyperechoic or dilated fetal bowel raises s uspicion of a number of prenatal disorders including meconium ileus (M I), meconium peritonitis, congenital infection, neoplasm, or chromosom al trisomy. These findings may also represent transient normal variant s. The following case report details the evaluation of one pregnancy w ith abnormal intestinal echogenic findings on serial sonograms (US), t o demonstrate inherent diagnostic difficulties in such a case. A diagn ostic algorithm is presented to aid in the proper use of US and DNA mu tation analysis for cystic fibrosis (CF), so that the cause of an abno rmal abdominal US can be established earlier and more accurately than suggested by previous management schemes. Earlier fetal diagnosis may help to anticipate postnatal problems associated with CF/MI, and there fore provide more optimal clinical management of the affected fetus.