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Neonatal intestinal opacification secondary to transplacental passage of urographic contrast medium
Insights
Maternal excretory urography can cause temporary neonatal intestinal opacification due to contrast medium passage. This radiographic finding is likely harmless but should be differentiated from serious conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal imaging
- Radiology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
Background:
- Excretory urography is a diagnostic imaging technique used during pregnancy.
- Neonatal intestinal opacification can be a concerning radiographic finding.
Observation:
- Five infants, including triplets and twins, exhibited intestinal opacification post-maternal excretory urography.
- The opacification was observed in the neonatal intestines.
Findings:
- Transplacental passage of urographic contrast medium is the likely cause.
- Fetal kidneys, liver, and small bowel excrete the contrast medium, leading to radiographic appearance.
- The contrast medium is unlikely to cause fetal harm.
Implications:
- Distinguishing contrast-induced opacification from other neonatal colonic pathologies is crucial.
- Understanding this phenomenon aids in accurate neonatal diagnosis and management.
- This finding highlights the importance of considering maternal medical history in neonatal imaging interpretation.
Abstract:
Neonatal intestinal opacification in five infants (one set each of triplets and twins) after maternal excretory urography is described, and mechanisms leading to this phenomenon are discussed. Transplacental passage of urographic contrast medium with subsequent excretion by the fetal kidneys and possibly liver and small bowel seems to explain the radiographic appearance. Although the contrast medium probably does not harm the fetus, it should be distinguished from other more sinister causes of colonic opacification in the neonate.