Echogenic particles in the amniotic fluid of term low-risk pregnant women: does it have a clinical significance?

In this study, we aimed to analyse the clinical features of the third-trimester pregnant women, with echogenic amniotic fluid and to compare their obstetric and neonatal outcomes with pregnant women with normal amniotic fluid echogenicity. This case-control study was conducted in a tertiary antenatal care centre. A total of 560 term (37-42 weeks of gestation) singleton women; 280 with echogenic particles in amniotic fluid and 280 with clear amniotic fluid, who delivered within 24 h after the ultrasound scan were evaluated. The women in the two groups were similar in terms of age, parity, body mass index, foetal birth weight, and gestational age. More patients in the particulate amnion group had lower Apgar scores (<7) in 1st and 5th minutes than controls (p = .006, p = .031 respectively) however the rate of admission to neonatal intensive care was similar. Vernix stained amniotic fluid was more common in the study group (48.8%, p = .031), the rate of meconium-stained amniotic fluid was similar in the study and control groups (9.6-9.2%, p = .881). The primary caesarean section rate was higher in women with particulate amnion (18.4%, p = .037). Echogenic particles in the amniotic fluid in the third trimester could not be attributed to meconium, however, higher rates of primary caesarean section may require further attention.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Previous studies showed that high-density intra-amniotic particles were possibly related to vernix caseosa, intra-amniotic bleeding, and meconium. The number of study groups in these studies was also limited.What do the results of this study add? Additional to other previous studies, we found an increased rate of intra-amniotic echogenic particles in male foetuses.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The presence of echogenic particles on ultrasound was not related to increased risk for the presence of meconium. Significantly more neonates born to mothers with intra-amniotic echogenic particles tended to have lower Apgar scores (<7), however, this significant difference did not affect the need for NICU admission. The presence of echogenic particles in the amniotic fluid of the third-trimester pregnant women could not be attributed to meconium and adverse perinatal outcomes, however, the higher rates of primary caesarean section may require further attention.

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging contributes to the diagnosis and treatment of meconium peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Meconium peritonitis (MP) is a rare fetal disease that needs to be urgently identified for surgical intervention. We report a series of 35 patients diagnosed prenatally with MP by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), illustrate the imaging findings and investigate the predictive value of these findings for postpartum management. METHOD: A consecutive cohort of patients diagnosed with MP who were born at our institution from 2013 to 2018 was enrolled retrospectively. The prenatal ultrasound and MRI findings were analyzed. Fisher's exact probability test was used to evaluate the predictive value of MRI for surgical intervention between the operative group and the nonoperative group. RESULTS: Ascites (30/35) and distended bowel loops (27/35) were two of the most common prenatal MP-related findings on fetal MRI. Of the 35 infants, 26 received surgical intervention. All fetuses with MRI scans showing bowel dilatation (14/26, p = 0.048) and micro-colorectum (13/26, p = 0.013) required surgery. There were no significant differences in the number of fetuses with meconium pseudocysts and peritoneal calcifications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Fetuses with bowel dilatation and micro-colorectum on MRI may need postpartum surgical intervention. Infants with only a small amount of ascites and slight bowel distention were likely to receive conservative treatment.

Using prenatal MRI to define features of meconium peritonitis: an overall outcome.

AIM: To use prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to define features of meconium peritonitis (MP) and analyse the relationship between prenatal MRI findings and postnatal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight cases were enrolled who had been diagnosed with MP through prenatal MRI; the diagnoses were confirmed at surgery and pathology or follow-up. MP was diagnosed by the findings of meconium ascites, meconium pseudocyst, or dilated bowel loops. Prenatal follow-up after diagnosis by MRI was performed by ultrasound. RESULTS: Prenatal MRI findings included massive meconium ascites (five out of eight cases), a small meconium pseudocyst (one out of eight), a large meconium pseudocyst along with a dilated bowel loop (one out of eight), a dilated bowel loop alone (one out of eight), and micro-colorectum (six out of eight). Six fetuses showed abdominal distension, bilious vomiting, and no normal meconium at birth; they underwent exploratory laparotomies and subsequently, survived and prospered. Only one fetus (with a small meconium pseudocyst) received conservative treatment. There was one mortality, and the cause of death was full-bowel necrosis. CONCLUSION: Prenatal MRI may be helpful for diagnosing MP, in cases where the specific MRI findings are persistent meconium ascites, a dilated bowel loop, micro-colorectum, and meconium pseudocyst. In particular, a micro-colorectum might indirectly reflect ileum atresia, which requires postnatal surgery.

Decreased rectal meconium signal on MRI in fetuses with open spinal dysraphism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate rectal meconium signal in fetuses with open spinal dysraphism and correlate findings with postnatal exam. METHODS: This is a single-institution Institutional Review Board-approved Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant retrospective analysis of fetal MRIs of open spinal dysraphism from 2004 to 2016. Fetuses with diagnostic T1-weighted images and postnatal follow-up at our institution were included. RESULTS: A total of 115 fetuses (average gestational age 23.9 ± 3.6 weeks) met inclusion criteria. Of these, 80% (92/115) had T1 hyperintense rectal meconium signal. Average height of the meconium column, measured from the base of the bladder to its most inferior extent, was 9.2 ± 4.3 mm in fetuses ≥20-week gestational age and 11.1 ± 4.4 mm in fetuses ≥23-week gestational age (n = 110) . None had bowel dilation. One of 115 fetuses had a simple form of anorectal malformation allowing complete repair in the neonatal period, but this fetus had a normal meconium column height on fetal MRI of 22 mm. The remaining 23/115 fetuses with lack of normal rectal meconium signal were born without evidence of anorectal malformation. CONCLUSION: Decreased or absent T1-hyperintense rectal meconium signal in fetuses with open spinal dysraphism does not correlate with imperforate anus postnatal and may be a reflection of neurogenic bowel in this patient population.

Meconium peritonitis: the role of postnatal radiographic and sonographic findings in predicting the need for surgery.

BACKGROUND: The role of imaging in meconium peritonitis is not limited to establishing a diagnosis; rather, it might also be helpful in determining which neonates require surgery. However, few data in the literature correlate the postnatal radiographic and sonographic findings with the need for surgery. OBJECTIVE: To compare the role of postnatal radiographic and sonographic findings in predicting the need for surgery in neonates with meconium peritonitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical, imaging and surgical findings in all neonates with meconium peritonitis in the period 1999-2014. We divided the children into operative or non-operative groups and then correlated each group with the presence or absence of the following findings on both the radiographs and sonograms: peritoneal calcification, meconium pseudocyst, intestinal obstruction, volvulus, ascites and pneumoperitoneum. RESULTS: Thirty-seven neonates (22 males, 15 females) had meconium peritonitis in this period, of whom 23 (62%) required surgery and 14 (38%) were successfully treated non-surgically. None had an antenatal infection and three had cystic fibrosis (8%). Bowel obstruction identified on radiography (12/23, P=0.01) and sonography (9/23, P=0.04) and ascites identified with sonography (7/23, P=0.01) were associated with the need for surgical intervention. The presence of pneumoperitoneum and volvulus were also associated with surgical intervention. There was no significant statistical difference in the number of neonates with diffuse peritoneal calcification who were treated operatively or non-operatively. Four (33%) of the 12 neonates with meconium pseudocysts were successfully treated non-operatively. CONCLUSION: Imaging findings that predicted the need for surgery were intestinal obstruction, ascites, volvulus and pneumoperitoneum. Neonates with meconium pseudocysts did not require surgery if they were not associated with the described findings. The findings in our patients also indicate that those with diffuse peritoneal calcification as an isolated finding can be successfully treated non-operatively.

Incidence of echogenic amniotic fluid at term pregnancy and its association with meconium.

PURPOSE: The presence of echogenic amniotic fluid at term gestation on sonography is uncommon. The aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of echogenic amniotic fluid at term pregnancy, and to determine how often echogenic amniotic fluid was associated with meconium. METHODS: All singleton pregnant women at term who were admitted to our labor unit and who delivered within 24 h of the ultrasound scan were included in the study. For each woman, gestational age, maternal age, gravidity, parity, the character of the amniotic fluid on ultrasound at admission (clear or echogenic), birth weight, and the character of the amniotic fluid on artificial or spontaneous rupture of membranes or on cesarean section (clear/with vernix/meconium-stained) were recorded. RESULTS: When amniotic fluid was assessed on ultrasound, among 278 patients, 9 (3.2%) patients' amniotic fluid was echogenic. When the amniotic fluid was assessed at delivery, the rates of meconium-stained amniotic fluid in women with and without echogenic amniotic fluid were 44.44% (4/9) and 9.3% (25/269), respectively; the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.035). We found a sensitivity and specificity of 13.79 and 97.99%, and a positive and negative predictive value of 44.44 and 90.7%, respectively, for echogenic amniotic fluid seen on ultrasound in identifying meconium-stained amniotic fluid. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of echogenic amniotic fluid at term gestation was found as 3.2 and 44.4% of cases of echogenic amniotic fluid was associated with meconium.

Predictability of intrapartum cardiotocography with meconium stained liquor and its correlation with perinatal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the colour of liquor and the trace of cardiotocography to see whether it is reactive or non-reactive.. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynaecology department, Dar-ul-Sehat Hospital, Karachi from June 2015 to March 2016, and comprised women in labour who delivered singleton babies and had >37 weeks of gestation. Intrapartum monitoring by cardiotocography was conducted. The status of the amniotic membranes, colour and amount of liquor observed were recorded. Cardiotocography was performed for 30 minutes in the left lateral position on admission as well as a monitoring tool in labour at an interval of less than 4 hours. Foetal heart transducer and uterine pressure transducers were applied and the readings were recorded. SPSS 21 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the total 200 subjects, 183(91.5%) were reactive and 17(8.5%) were non-reactive women. Overall mean age was 27.39±4.40 years. Most commonly noted risk factor were post-date 53(26.5%), anaemia 35(17.5%), premature rupture of membranes 28(14%) and pregnancy-induced hypertension 10(5%). Insignificant difference was observed in between Cardiotocography findings and risk factors of the women (p>0.05).. CONCLUSIONS: Significant change was seen in cardiotocography of clear liquor which needs more evaluation to rule out ongoing hypoxia.

Antenatal sonographic features of ileal atresia.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the antenatal sonographic features of ileal atresia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified neonates with surgically-confirmed ileal atresia who had antenatal sonography performed in our institution between 1 January 1999 and 30 June 2009. The antenatal sonography images and reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Sixteen neonates had surgically-confirmed ileal atresia in our institution in 11 years. Seven fetuses (43.7%) did not have any intestinal abnormalities detected antenatally on ultrasonography. Nine fetuses (56.3%) had various sonographic features of ileal atresia, including multiple dilated bowel loops, ascites, cysts, and polyhydramnios with or without associated anomalies. Six of nine fetuses had multiple dilated bowel loops and two fetuses had ascites. One fetus had a large, cystic, mixed, echogenic dilatation of bowel. Polyhydramnios was present in three fetuses. Heart anomalies, kidney anomalies, or hydrops were present in four fetuses. Eight of 16 fetuses (50%) had other intestinal problems, including intussusceptions in one fetus, small bowel malrotation, meconium pseudocyst volvulus, meconium peritonitis, and a congenital band. CONCLUSION: The prenatal sonographic features of ileal atresia are not simple. Various sonographic findings are shown and ileal atresia was detected in about 60% of cases.

Fetal Meconium Peritonitis: A Clinical Study of Nine Cases.

Objective: To explore the prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of fetal meconium peritonitis (FMP). Methods: Nine patients diagnosed with FMP by routine prenatal examination between January 2015 and December 2020 were identified. Both prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes associated with these patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean gestational age at the time of FMP diagnosis was 31.3 ± 4.8 weeks, and the mean gestational age of delivery was 35.1 ± 5.1 weeks. Prenatal ultrasonographic findings at the time of diagnosis in these patients included intestinal dilatation (9/9, 100%), intraperitoneal calcification (8/9, 88.9%), fetal ascites (5/9, 55.6%), intraperitoneal pseudocyst (5/9, 55.6%), and polyhydramnios (6/9, 66.7%). Analyses of the etiological basis for meconium peritonitis in 5 of the 8 live births that underwent surgical treatment revealed 4 cases of congenital volvulus and 1 case of jejunal atresia. Conclusion: The prenatal ultrasound manifestations of fetal meconium peritonitis are diverse, and the different grades of prenatal ultrasound manifestations can provide important information for the treatment of perinatal infants.

Prenatal treatment of meconium peritonitis with urinary trypsin inhibitor.

We describe a case of congenital meconium peritonitis with progressive fetal ascites and polyhydramnios. Fetal ascites could be only partially reduced on paracentesis at 29 weeks' gestation, and it subsequently increased. Urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI), a physiological anti-inflammatory substance, was administered into the fetal abdominal cavity at a second paracentesis performed at 35 weeks' gestation. There was a significant amount of fetal ascites remaining 1 day after the second paracentesis, but this completely resolved within 5 days. A healthy infant was delivered vaginally and no surgical intervention was required. The case suggests that UTI can reduce meconium-induced chemical peritonitis and thereby facilitate intrauterine remission of fetal ascites.

Meconium peritonitis presenting as abdominal calcification: three cases with different pathology.

Intra-abdominal calcification is uncommon in newborns and has several causes of which meconium peritonitis is the most frequent. Three neonates with intra-abdominal calcification as a complication of meconium peritonitis are presented. The types of meconium peritonitis were cystic, meconium pseudocyst and meconium ascites. Two required surgical intervention. Meconium peritonitis should be considered in newborns with intra-abdominal calcification.

Evolution of sonographic findings in a fetus with ileal atresia.

We report a case of a meconium pseudocyst secondary to ileal atresia and midgut volvulus. Initially, a single anechoic cyst was detected on prenatal sonography. The cyst gradually increased in size during the second trimester and eventually appeared as a large mass in the lower abdomen with echogenic content and associated with bowel dilatation. This case indicates that until the mid third trimester a single sonolucent cyst without signs of bowel obstruction may be associated with congenital intestinal obstruction.

[Fetal meconium pseudocyst secondary to in utero perforation of colon transversum and meconium peritonitis].

Fetal bowel intrauterine perforation causes sterile inflammation of the peritoneum, known as meconium peritonitis. In some cases the perforation closes spontaneously, thus forming a meconium pseudocyst between the intestinal loops and the omentum. Meconium peritonitis, complicated by pseudocyst formation, should always be considered when a fetal abdominal mass with diverse echogenicity and hyperechogenic calcifications is observed on prenatal ultrasound. Usually, this is associated with ascites and/or polyhydramnios. The differential diagnosis necessitates exclusion of all other fetal abdominal tumors. We present a case report of meconium pseudocyst diagnosed prenatally at 32 weeks of gestation which was successfully treated by surgery after birth.

A case of massive meconium peritonitis in utero successfully managed by planned cardiopulmonary resuscitation of the newborn.

We report a case of emergent massive meconium peritonitis due to intrauterine volvulus without malrotation. Fetal ascites was detected on a regular ultrasonographic examination, and fetal distress was found on cardiotocographic monitoring. The mother had noticed a slight decrease in fetal movements over the preceding 24 hours. Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging allowed us to distinguish the meconium from fetal peritoneal fluid and to evaluate the degree of compression of the fetal thoracic cavity. The infant was delivered by emergency cesarean section and demonstrated tense abdominal ascites with edema at birth. She required cardiopulmonary resuscitation and immediate paracentesis.

Generalized arterial calcification of infancy associated with meconium peritonitis: a case report and review of the literature.

Generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is a rare genetic disorder consisting of diffuse arterial calcification and intimal proliferation. The disease typically results in progressive arterial stenosis and frequently leads to death from myocardial ischemia by 6 months of life. Affected infants are usually diagnosed before birth or in the neonatal period with symptoms of congestive heart failure. Therapy with bisphosphonate has been used to treat the condition, but with inconsistent results. The disease is associated with mutations in ENPP1 in the majority of the cases. Here we report a unique case of GACI associated with in utero meconium peritonitis and without coding region mutations of the ENPP1 gene. GACI should be considered in the differential diagnosis in infants presenting with arterial calcifications and congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Intrauterine midgut volvulus without malrotation: diagnosis from the 'coffee bean sign'.

Fetal midgut volvulus is quite rare, and most cases are associated with abnormalities of intestinal rotation or fixation. We report a case of midgut volvulus without malrotation, associated with a meconium pellet, during the gestation period. This 2.79 kg, 33-wk infant was born via a spontaneous vaginal delivery caused by preterm labor. Prenatal ultrasound showed dilated bowel loops with the appearance of a 'coffee bean sign'. This patient had an unusual presentation with a distended abdomen showing skin discoloration. An emergency laparotomy revealed a midgut volvulus and a twisted small bowel, caused by complicated meconium ileus. Such nonspecific prenatal radiological signs and a low index of suspicion of a volvulus during gestation might delay appropriate surgical management and result in ischemic necrosis of the bowel. Preterm labor, specific prenatal sonographic findings (for example, the coffee bean sign) and bluish discoloration of the abdominal wall could suggest intrauterine midgut volvulus requiring prompt surgical intervention.

Comparative Effectiveness of Imaging Modalities for the Diagnosis of Intestinal Obstruction in Neonates and Infants:: A Critically Appraised Topic.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to critically appraise and compare the diagnostic performance of imaging modalities that are used for the diagnosis of upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract obstruction in neonates and infants. METHODS: A focused clinical question was constructed and the literature was searched using the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome method comparing radiography, upper GI contrast study, and ultrasound in the detection of upper GI tract obstruction such as duodenal atresia and stenosis, jejunal and ileal atresia, and malrotation and volvulus. The same methods were used to compare radiography and contrast enema in the detection of lower GI tract obstruction such as meconium plug syndrome, meconium ileus, Hirschsprung disease, and imperforate anus. Retrieved articles were appraised and assigned a level of evidence based on the Oxford University Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine hierarchy of validity for diagnostic studies. RESULTS: There were no sensitivities/specificities available for the imaging diagnosis of duodenal atresia or stenosis, jejunal or ileal atresias, meconium plug, and meconium ileus or for the use of cross-table lateral radiography for the diagnosis of rectal pouch distance from skin in imperforate anus. The retrieved sensitivity for the detection of malrotation on upper GI contrast study is 96%, and the sensitivity for the diagnosis of midgut volvulus on upper GI contrast study is 79%. The retrieved sensitivity and specificity for the detection of malrotation with volvulus on ultrasound were 89% and 92%, respectively. The retrieved sensitivity and specificity for the detection of Hirschsprung disease on contrast enema were 70% and 83%, respectively. The retrieved sensitivity of invertogram for the diagnosis of rectal pouch distance from skin in imperforate anus is 27%. The retrieved sensitivities of perineal ultrasound and colostography for the diagnosis of rectal pouch distance from skin in imperforate anus were 86% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence for the imaging diagnosis of duodenal atresia and stenosis, jejunal and ileal atresias, meconium plug, meconium ileus, and imperforate anus, with recommended practice based mainly on low-quality evidence or expert opinion. The available evidence supports the use of upper GI contrast study for the diagnosis of malrotation and volvulus, with ultrasound as an adjunct to diagnosis. Contrast enema is useful in the investigation of suspected Hirschsprung disease, but a negative study does not outrule the condition. Colostography is the investigation of choice for the work-up of infants with complex anorectal malformations before definitive surgical repair.

Prenatal diagnosis of enterolithiasis at 18 weeks: multiple foci of intraluminal calcified meconium within echogenic bowel.

Enterolithiasis is an uncommon finding of a dilated hyperechogenic bowel with multiple ball-like echogenic structures at a routine prenatal check-up using ultrasonography. We here report a case of prenatally diagnosed enterolithiasis at 18 weeks of gestation, showing multiple hyperechogenic foci rolling within the bowel fluid after peristalsis. The size of the dilated bowel gradually increased during pregnancy. Magnetic resonance image demonstrated the dilated lower bowel with blind-ending rectum. A postnatal contrast medium study with retrograde urethrography revealed a middle imperforate anus and a rectourethral fistula. A careful examination, even before 20 weeks of gestation, is extremely useful in demonstrating intraluminal coarse calcifications within an echogenic bowel.