[Echogenic material in fetal gallbladder: prenatal diagnosis and postnatal follow-up]

To study the prevalence of echogenic material in fetal gallbladder and to analyze its pathological relevance, the perinatal factors involved and the postnatal outcome of detected cases.

We performed a prospective study of ultrasonographic examination of 9235 fetuses in the third trimester of gestation. Perinatal data were collected. Postnatal ultrasonography was performed in identified cases.

Fetal biliary echogenic material was found in 0.45 % of all pregnancies, with 42 identified fetuses. A single echogenic image was found in four fetuses (9 %), two or more echogenic images were found in seven fetuses (17 %) and biliary sludge was found in 31 fetuses (74 %). All diagnoses were made between weeks 29 and 38 of gestation. No link was found with maternal factors or perinatal abnormalities. Postnatal follow-up was carried out in 39 neonates; of these, five neonates (13 %) showed biliary sludge, although all five were asymptomatic. In further follow-up examinations, ultrasound studies were normal.

Fetal biliary echogenic material was found in one out of every 200 fetuses. No relationship was found with perinatal abnormalities. The prognosis of fetal gallstones and biliary sludge is favorable.