Second-trimester intra-abdominal bowel dilation in fetuses with gastroschisis predicts neonatal bowel atresia.

Objective: To determine in fetuses with gastroschisis the association between intra-abdominal bowel dilation in the second trimester and neonatal bowel atresia.

Methods: We reviewed ultrasound and medical records of fetuses with gastroschisis from January 1998 to August 2004. Fetuses with intra-abdominal bowel dilation in the second trimester were identified and followed into the neonatal period.

Results: We identified 58 mother-infant pairs showing fetal gastroschisis, with at least one prenatal ultrasound at our hospital and which were delivered there, or were transported there as newborns. Forty-eight of the 58 fetuses had no intra-abdominal bowel dilation and none of these neonates had bowel atresia. Ten of the 58 fetuses had intra-abdominal bowel dilation and all had bowel atresia at birth (P<0.0001). In eight cases in which ultrasound was performed at <25 weeks' gestation, intra-abdominal bowel dilation was already present.

Conclusions: Intra-abdominal bowel dilation in the second trimester predicts neonatal bowel atresia in fetuses with gastroschisis.