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Fetal bowel. Normal sonographic findings.

D A Nyberg, L A Mack, R M Patten

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine : Official Journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

|January 1, 1987

Summary

This study details the typical ultrasound appearance of fetal intestines. Fetal colon is visible from 22 weeks gestation, with diameter correlating to age, while small bowel is centrally located and rarely seen after 34 weeks.

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Area of Science:

Fetal Medicine
Diagnostic Imaging
Gastroenterology

Background:

Accurate assessment of fetal gastrointestinal development is crucial for diagnosing congenital abnormalities.
Establishing normal sonographic parameters for fetal bowel helps differentiate pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To prospectively define the normal sonographic appearance and measurements of the fetal colon and small bowel.
To establish gestational age-related reference ranges for fetal bowel dimensions.

Main Methods:

Prospective observational study involving 130 fetuses.
Sonographic evaluation of fetal abdominal organs, focusing on colon and small bowel characteristics.
Correlation of bowel dimensions with menstrual age.

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Main Results:

The fetal colon, a peripheral tubular structure, is visualized from 22 weeks gestation, present in all fetuses after 28 weeks.
Colon diameter shows a linear relationship with gestational age (r=0.82), reaching 18 mm at term.
Fetal small bowel is centrally located, with segments <7 mm diameter and <15 mm length; visualized in only 30% of fetuses after 34 weeks.
Small bowel peristalsis was observed, but not in the colon.

Conclusions:

Sonographic visualization and measurement of fetal colon and small bowel provide valuable reference data for prenatal assessment.
These findings aid in the sonographic diagnosis of fetal gastrointestinal anomalies.