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Cited by 15Prenatal Screening and DiagnosticsCongenital Anomalies and Fetal SurgeryFetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders

Hyperechogenic fetal bowel: Current evidence-based prenatal diagnosis and management

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Vena, Flaminia, Mazza, Alessandra, Bartolone, Martina, Vasta, Adele, D'Alberti, Elena, Di Mascio, Daniele, D'Ambrosio, Valentina, Volpe, Gregorio +3 more·2023·Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
DOI 10.1002/jcu.23528
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Abstract

Echogenic fetal bowel (EB) is a prenatal ultrasound finding (0.2%-1.4% of all pregnancies) defined as bowel of similar or greater echogenicity than surrounding bone. In fact, the ultrasound assessment is strongly subjective with inter-observer variability. The pathophysiology depends on the underlying condition, apparently related with meconium stasis and hypercellularity. It is often an isolated finding, with possible association with other structural anomalies. About the origin, it was observed in fetuses with cystic fibrosis, congenital infections, thalassemia, intraamniotic bleeding, fetal growth restriction. Fetuses with EB are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome, such as intrauterine growth restriction, placental dysfunction and perinatal death, highlighting the need for a thorough antenatal management and post-natal follow-up. It seems to be associated with a plenty of conditions, such as a poor fetal outcome, fetal growth restriction and placental dysfunction. Therefore management requires a multidisciplinary approach with different specialties' involvement and the prognosis is influenced by the underlying pathophysiology. In this complex scenario, the present review aims to define the clinical pathway which should be offered to pregnant women in case of finding of fetal EB ultrasound marker, to rule out any suspected pathological cause.

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Crossref · 10.1002/jcu.23528

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  • Hyperechogenic fetal bowel is associated with several fetal pathological conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, chromosomal anomalies and Zellweger syndrome, all of which require advanced management at a specialized center.

    “Specifically, hyperechogenic fetal bowel is associated with several fetal pathological conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, chromosomal anomalies, Zellweger syndrome, etc., all of which require advanced management at a specialized center [51].”

    From First-Trimester Ultrasound: A Comparative Review of Guidelines (2026) · cites this paper as [51]

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Authors
Vena, F., Mazza, A., Bartolone, M., Vasta, A., D'Alberti, E., Di Mascio, D., D'Ambrosio, V., Volpe, G., Signore, F., Pizzuti, A., & Giancotti, A.
Affiliations
  • Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
  • Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
  • St. Eugenio Hospital (IT)
Corresponding author
  • Vena, Flaminia
  • Signore, Fabrizio
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2023-08-08
Volume
51
Issue
7
Pages
1172-1178
ISSN
  • 0091-2751 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-0096
DOI
10.1002/jcu.23528
OpenAlex
W4385684400
Cited by
13
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1
FWCI
0.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Ultrasound (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Fetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders
Keywords
prenatal ultrasound markers, cystic fibrosis, congenital infection, thalassemia, fetal growth restriction, placental insufficiency, perinatal outcomes, antenatal management, postpartum follow-up, multidisciplinary management
MeSH terms
Female, Fetal Growth Retardation, Fetus, Humans, Placenta, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Prenatal Diagnosis, Ultrasonography, Prenatal, Echogenic Bowel

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