Antenatal predictors of intestinal pathologies in fetal bowel dilatation

AIM: Fetal bowel dilatation (FBD) in the late trimester of pregnancy can be related with varies of prognosis. Our aims were to obtain antenatal factors that might have relevance for the distinct prognosis with FBD. METHODS: Seven features of 68 pregnancies presented with FBD were assessed. The best cut-off value to predict intestinal outcomes was selected using receiver-operating characteristics curves, and the effective variables were included into a logistic regression model. RESULTS: The best cut-off valves to predict intestinal pathologies were 14.5 mm of fetus dilated loop and 37.7 weeks of gestational age at delivery, respectively. The congenital gastrointestinal tract anomalies included 24 cases (92.3%) of intestine atresia, 1 case (3.85%) of small intestine volvulus and 1 case (3.85%) of midgut malrotation. CONCLUSION: Fetal dilated loops and gestational age at delivery are both an independent risk factor for predicting intestinal pathologies of newborns, which should arouse high attention.