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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Author Spotlight: Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Gastric Content Assessment and Risk Stratification in Perioperative Care
Published on: September 22, 2023
Prenatal Sonography in Suspected Proximal Gastrointestinal Obstructions: Diagnostic Accuracy and Neonatal Outcomes
Abigail J Engwall-Gill1, Alice L Zhou1, Annalise B Penikis1
1Division of General Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to assess diagnostic accuracy and neonatal outcomes in fetuses with a suspected proximal gastrointestinal obstruction (GIO).
Methods:
After IRB approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted on prenatally suspected and/or postnatally confirmed cases of proximal GIO at a tertiary care facility (2012-2022). Maternal-fetal records were queried for presence of a double bubble ± polyhydramnios, and neonatal outcomes were assessed to calculate the diagnostic accuracy of fetal sonography.
Results:
Among 56 confirmed cases, the median birthweight and gestational age at birth were 2550 g [interquartile range (IQR) 2028-3012] and 37 weeks (IQR 34-38), respectively. There was one (2%) false-positive and three (6%) false-negatives by ultrasound. Double bubble had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for proximal GIO of 85%, 98%, 98%, and 83%, respectively. Pathologies included 49 (88%) with duodenal obstruction/annular pancreas, three (5%) with malrotation, and three (5%) with jejunal atresia. The median postoperative length of stay was 27 days (IQR 19-42). Cardiac anomalies were associated with significantly higher complications (45% vs 17%, p = 0.030).
Conclusions:
In this contemporary series, fetal sonography has high diagnostic accuracy for detecting proximal gastrointestinal obstruction. These data are informative for pediatric surgeons in prenatal counseling and preoperative discussions with families.
Level Of Evidence:
Diagnostic Study, Level III.
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