Ultrasound of the 2nd trimester of the fetus, hyperechoic intestine. Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus. Treatment of hyperechoic intestine in the fetus

The period of bearing a child is a long-awaited time for many women. But sometimes there are cases when troubles arise that are associated with the development of the unborn baby. One of the unpleasant pathologies is considered to be hyperechoic intestine in the fetus. What is meant by it and how does it threaten the baby? Let's figure it out.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus refers to a pathological process that is characterized by increased intra-abdominal structure, comparable to the echogenicity of bone tissue. It occurs in many expectant mothers and is diagnosed in the initial stages of pregnancy. By the sixteenth week, the brightness of the baby's intestinal canal disappears.

However, there are situations when the pathological process makes itself felt. It is usually detected at the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy. Then expectant mothers are advised to undergo repeated examinations, because they can hide serious illnesses.

Increased echogenicity of the intestine in the fetus manifests itself for several reasons in the form of:

risk of hereditary chromosomal disease. These include Down syndrome;
intrauterine infection of the baby with various infections in the form of herpes, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, acute rubella;
delay in intrauterine development in a child from gestation;
decreased volume of amniotic fluid;
disturbances of blood flow in the placenta, uterine vessels;
development of cystic fibrosis. A disease that leads to disruption of the endocrine glands;
congenital abnormal processes in the digestive system. These include asthenia of the small intestine, impaired peristalsis and obstructive lesions of the intestinal canal.

It is important to remember that the echogenicity of the fetal intestine during ultrasound diagnosis is always slightly higher than that of other organs in the abdominal area. Therefore, you should not panic ahead of time, not knowing the cause of the disease.

Diagnosing the intestines in a child

Hyperechoic fetal intestine is difficult to identify immediately. If it is possible to see something using the ultrasound technique, then the expectant mother is prescribed an examination to determine the cause.

This includes:

biochemical screening. A woman's blood is drawn several times;
repeat ultrasound diagnosis after three to four weeks;
performing analysis for TORCH infections;
performing amniocentesis and cordocentesis.

Down syndrome is a rather serious pathological process. By disease we mean a lag not only in mental development, but also various anomalies in the internal organs. To exclude this syndrome, a pregnant woman undergoes biochemical screening. It involves double and triple testing to detect elevated or decreased levels of certain markers in the blood fluid. Only a geneticist can decipher the result.

If you see a hyperechoic intestine on an ultrasound, then there is a possibility that the newborn will develop other anomalies. They are diagnosed in eight percent of all cases.

To make sure that the fetus has not become infected, the expectant mother should be tested for TORCH infections. Results are based on the presence or absence of antibodies.

To test for the detection of chromosomal pathologies and intrauterine infection, amniotic fluid is collected from the umbilical cord. This diagnostic method is considered safe, since the material is taken under ultrasound control. The waiting time for results is approximately three weeks.

The most accurate way to identify the cause is cordocentesis. It involves taking blood directly from the umbilical cord using a puncture. Using the same technique, medications are administered to the fetus.

Possible consequences for the fetus

Increased echogenicity of the fetal intestine can lead to adverse consequences. First of all, a violation of the uteroplacental blood flow may occur, which can cause intrauterine growth retardation.

A reduced content of the water component in meconium can lead to intestinal obstruction. If perforation of the intestinal canal occurs, meconium will enter the abdominal area, resulting in infection. Thus, peritonitis develops, which can cause the formation of calcifications and cysts on the intestinal walls and surfaces of internal organs. A sterile abscess may also appear.

If the gastrodigestive system is disrupted, other anomalies may appear in the form of Meckel's diverticulum or Hirschsprung's disease. Meckel's diverticulum is an abnormal process that affects the connecting zone of the small intestine with the bile sac. The process is located between the navel and the ileum. Therefore, intestinal contents may be discharged from the umbilical region.

Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital defect characterized by the absence of nerve plexuses in the colon and the provision of constant peristalsis in it.

Treatment of intestinal hyperechogenicity

If other pathological processes are not present with hyperechogenicity of the intestinal canal, then the diagnosis can be considered erroneous. If anomalies are found during diagnosis, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment and manages the entire pregnancy from beginning to end.

If there is an increased likelihood of the baby having Down syndrome, experts strongly advise abortion. The final answer remains with the parents, since there are cases when the diagnosis does not correspond to reality.

For intrauterine infection, patients are prescribed immunomodulatory medications and immunoglobulins. Many mothers claim that even with such a diagnosis, the pregnancy ends well, and the baby is born completely healthy and strong.

Often, with hyperechogenicity of the intestinal canal after birth, colic occurs in newborns. Dealing with such a problem is quite difficult. They torment babies constantly after eating.

Intestinal colic in newborns with this diagnosis disappears closer to a year. But in healthy children they are completed by three months. Spasms can lead to constant regurgitation, causing doctors to make an erroneous diagnosis.

The newborn's intestines develop even after birth. But with such a baby it is necessary to remain registered for a long time.

Treatment of intestinal colic in infants consists of taking sorbents in the form of Smecta, preparations based on fennel and other herbs in the form of Plantex, Espumisan, medications based on simethicone in the form of SubSimplex. The duration of treatment therapy is determined by the doctor.

If meconium peritonitis develops at the birth of the baby, then surgical intervention is performed urgently. Internal bleeding, which is provoked by peritonitis, leads to short intestinal canal syndrome.

It is not always necessary to treat pathology. In most cases, the child’s body copes with the problem on its own.

Preventive actions

Hyperechogenicity of the intestinal canal occurs for many reasons. Therefore, the expectant mother should think about the baby’s health and take a number of important preventive measures.

Before conceiving, undergo an examination and pass all tests for infections. If something is discovered, then it is worth undergoing medical therapy. You should plan a pregnancy after an infection no earlier than three months after taking the last pill.

Lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right. It is worth giving up drinking alcohol and smoking. Take care of proper sleep and rest. Eat rationally.

During pregnancy, promiscuity should be avoided. Nobody prohibits an expectant mother from having sex, but it is necessary to use contraceptives in the form of condoms.

During the gestation period, you need to walk as often as possible, because one of the reasons is fetal hypoxia and impaired blood flow.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is considered a fairly common problem, but the diagnosis is not always confirmed. In most cases, parents refuse a thorough examination and give birth to healthy babies. But each case is individual, since in some situations everything ends in intrauterine fetal death.

This sign may indicate the presence of chromosomal or congenital abnormalities in the child. But the pathology of the embryo is not confirmed in all cases. Therefore, increased echogenicity on ultrasound is not a death sentence.

The phenomenon requires a thorough examination of the amniotic fluid, mother’s blood and consultation with a geneticist. Treatment includes surgery or monitoring the newborn. In the case of chromosomal abnormalities, the issue is resolved individually.

Causes

What are the causes of hyperechoic intestine in the fetus? Etiological factors may be:

Down syndrome. In this case, in addition to hyperechogenicity, the fetus will show other signs of the pathological process (heart defects, ventricular septal defects).
Intrauterine infection. Infectious agents that can cause such manifestations include cytomegalovirus, parvovirus, toxoplasma, herpes virus, rubella, and chickenpox.
Congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract (Hirschsprung's disease, duodenal atresia).
Developmental delay (body parts are smaller than they should be at a given stage of pregnancy). In this case, symptoms such as oligohydramnios, reduced uterine or placental blood flow, fetal tachycardia, umbilical cord hernia, and undivided cerebral hemispheres will also be observed.
Meconium ileus.
Meconium peritonitis.
Fetoplacental insufficiency.

Which doctor treats hyperechoic intestine in a fetus?

Hyperechogenicity of the fetal intestine is a reason to visit a geneticist. He will conduct the necessary examinations and determine the presence or absence of chromosomal pathologies. In the absence of genetic disorders, the woman is observed and treated by a gynecologist. After the baby is born, you may need the help of a pediatric surgeon.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of “hyperechoic intestine” can be made after the following studies:

Blood test for the presence of antibodies to herpes viruses, rubella, chickenpox, paramyxovirus. The presence of immunoglobulins M in the blood to one of the listed pathogens indicates an acute infection. If class G antibodies are detected, this indicates a long-term illness.
Mniocentesis is the collection of amniotic fluid under ultrasound control. Amniotic fluid is examined for chromosomal abnormalities and intrauterine infection of the embryo. The conclusion will be ready in 21 days.
Cordocentesis - blood is taken from the fetus through the umbilical cord, which is examined in the same way as amniotic fluid.
Repeated ultrasound examination after 1 month. In most cases, hyperechoic bowel is not re-identified.
Consultation with a geneticist.
CTG (if necessary) - prescribed by the obstetrician-gynecologist leading the pregnancy.

Treatment

How to treat intestinal hyperechogenicity in the fetus? Treatment of this pathology depends on the etiological factor that led to its occurrence. Intrauterine infection will require treatment for a bacterial or viral infection. Intestinal obstruction, meconium ileus, meconium peritonitis, or duodenal atresia will require surgical treatment.

In the absence of symptoms of an acute abdomen, such children are monitored dynamically and surgery is not performed.

If meconium peritonitis develops, bleeding may occur. It leads to the formation of a short intestine.

Consequences

What are the consequences of hyperechoic intestine in the fetus? In 8% of cases, the embryo dies in utero. In less than 1% of cases, death occurs after the birth of a child during the first month of life. Overall, adverse effects were observed in 49%.

Hyperechoic intestine can lead to the development of a pathology such as cystic fibrosis in a newborn. However, in most cases, children who had this ultrasound sign in utero do not experience any diseases.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is an ultrasound sign indicating the likely presence of anomalies. Intrauterine infections, genetic defects, in particular Down syndrome, intestinal obstruction or peritonitis, developmental delay or fetoplacental insufficiency can lead to increased echogenicity of the intestine. To make an accurate diagnosis, additional examinations are necessary.

Useful video about fetal ultrasound

Pathologies of the digestive system often occur in the fetus, both independently and in combination with other anomalies of internal organs. They account for up to 21% of defects in newborns and 34% of infant mortality cases.

Causes of disturbances in the formation of the gastrointestinal tract in the fetus, statistics

Anomalies in the structure of the gastrointestinal tract are associated with a violation of embryogenesis at the stage of 4-8 weeks of pregnancy, when the opening of the digestive tube is formed. Initially, it ends at both ends, but by the end of the 8th week, channels are formed, and the mucous epithelium closes the lumen of the intestinal tube.

Among the most common pathologies are stenosis (narrowing or stretching of the walls) or atresia (fusion).

The duodenum suffers the most, which is due to the peculiarities of its embryogenesis. 1/2 of cases are accompanied by defects of other internal organs - heart, blood vessels, rectum, liver, stomach. Some cases are so severe that the baby will have to undergo many operations during his lifetime, and they will not guarantee his normal existence.

Abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract organs are visible on ultrasound at 11 weeks. Ultrasound diagnostics is not a 100% guarantee that the baby will have serious abnormalities, so its results are the basis for a more detailed examination of the woman.

A pregnant woman undergoes karyotyping to detect chromosomal abnormalities. She also undergoes an amniotic fluid test, and based on the results of the examination (if they are bad and the diagnosis is confirmed), she is recommended to terminate the pregnancy

Intestinal pathologies

Anomalies of the duodenum include:

Atresia.Occurs in 1 case out of 10,000. It consists of complete intestinal obstruction due to pathological fusion of the walls of the organ. In 37% of cases, it is accompanied by other anomalies - cauda equina, fusion of the cervical vertebrae, asymmetrical position of the ribs, etc.

In another 2% of cases, intestinal atresia is accompanied by esophageal atresia, anal hygroma, incomplete rotation of the stomach, etc. This is mainly typical for a fetus with chromosomal disorders, in particular with trisomy 21.

90% of pregnancies end in miscarriage or failure to thrive during the first 2 trimesters. The remaining 10% of pregnancies with pathology of the duodenum result in the birth of children suffering from various defects: 31% have airway obstruction (blockage by a foreign body such as a cyst, tumor), 24% have paresis of the facial nerve (impaired functionality of the facial muscles).

Only 1% of children lead a relatively normal life after undergoing a complex operation, provided there are no chromosomal abnormalities.

Intestinal membrane. This is a film that blocks the intestinal lumen, resulting from a violation of the growth of the inner layer of the duodenum. Occurs in 1 case out of 40,000. On ultrasound it is visualized as a weakly echogenic formation. The intestinal lumen is narrowed by several millimeters, the contours of the mucous membrane are clear.

Pathology is not an indication for termination of pregnancy. Depending on the location of the membrane, it is removed after the birth of the baby using duodenotomy (opening the intestinal lumen and then removing the membrane).

Malrotation.It consists of a violation of the normal rotation and fixation of the duodenum. If the midgut has made a full revolution on the blood-feeding pedicle, this can lead to cessation of blood supply and death of the midgut.

Prenatal diagnosis can be made from 24 weeks, and polyhydramnios was observed in 61.5% of pregnancies. Ultrasound reveals an anechoic double-buble 3 consequence of dilatation of the intestine and stomach.

Although even a slight expansion at 16-22 weeks should cause alarm. Normally, the duodenum is visible on ultrasound only from 24 weeks. Additionally, in 62% of cases, malformations of the heart, genitourinary system, and other gastrointestinal organs are detected in the fetus. After karyotype testing, chromosomal abnormalities are detected in 67% of cases, of which Down syndrome ranks first.

Stenosis.It is detected in 30% of newborns, mainly in boys. This is a partial obstruction of the duodenum, localized in one place. It is mainly observed in the upper sections and is accompanied by anomalies of the pancreas. It is clearly visible on ultrasound from 24 weeks when using the Doppler method to study intestinal blood flow.

Stenosis is successfully eliminated and has more favorable prospects than atresia. Does not require termination of pregnancy.

Megaduodenum. This is an increase in the size of the duodenum to a size that sometimes exceeds the size of the stomach. Occurs in 1 case out of 7500. It may be a consequence of an annular pancreas, when the head of the organ encircles the intestine in a ring, or atresia or stenosis of the duodenum. Diagnosed by ultrasound at 24 weeks. The upper part of the abdominal cavity is very swollen, while the lower part is sunken.

Hyperechogenicity of the intestine.The higher the density of the tissue being examined, the greater the echogenicity. On ultrasound, the echogenicity of the fetal intestine should be lower than that of bones, but higher than that of porous organs such as the liver, lungs or kidneys. When the echogenicity of the intestine is equal in density to the echogenicity of the bone tissue, they speak of hyperechogenicity.

Pathology is detected no earlier than 16 weeks. It indicates a deviation in fetal development. Increased echogenicity occurs with premature aging of the placenta, internal infections, discrepancy between the size of the fetus and the gestational age, endocrine disease cystic fibrosis, intestinal obstruction (stenosis).

An ultrasound scan should be performed in several different clinics to avoid specialist errors. Only when the diagnosis is finally confirmed, the woman is sent for a more detailed examination - biochemical screening, analysis for TORCH infections, cordocentesis and amniotic fluid analysis. The final diagnosis is made on the basis of a comprehensive analysis, and not just an ultrasound examination.

Diverticula (cysts).They have different names - duplication cysts, double colon, enterogenous diverticulum. It consists of budding from the intestinal walls of a formation during the embryonic period. They form not only in the intestines, but throughout the gastrointestinal tract from the larynx to the anus.

It is believed that the cause of bifurcation of the walls is a violation of the blood supply to the fetal digestive tube. Cysts on ultrasound are hypoechoic and can be either single-chamber or multi-chamber. The walls of the cysts are two-layered and have increased peristalsis, and are hyperechogenic if they contain blood.

Intestinal cysts are visualized in the 2nd trimester and are often combined with other pathologies. The accuracy of visualization of intestinal cysts in the fetus is 66.6%. This pathology is not an indication for termination of pregnancy, because in uncomplicated cases it is operated on and eliminated.

Abnormalities in the shape, size, position and mobility of the intestine. By the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, it should turn around the mesenteric artery counterclockwise by 2700. If embryogenesis is disrupted, the following pathologies can be distinguished: lack of rotation, failed rotation and incomplete rotation.

On ultrasound, with anomalies of intestinal rotation in the fetus, polyhydramnios and dilation of intestinal loops without peristalsis are noted. In case of intestinal perforation, myconium peritonitis occurs - infection due to the release of intestinal contents. The pathology is detected late, only in the 3rd trimester, which requires immediate preparation of the woman for delivery.

Liver pathologies in the fetus

The liver is visualized by ultrasound examination already at the 1st screening. At 11-14 weeks, a hypoechoic formation in the form of a month can be seen in the upper part of the abdominal cavity. By week 25, echogenicity increases and becomes the same as that of the intestine, and before birth it exceeds the density of the intestine.

Assessing the state of liver blood flow is very important. The fetal umbilical cord vein enters the liver, and in the 2nd trimester the portal vein is visualized. Its diameter is normally 2-3 mm, and by childbirth it increases to 10-11 mm. Bile ducts should not normally be visualized in the fetus.

One of the most common fetal pathologies is hepatomegaly of the liver - an increase in the size of the organ. To detect anomalies, a 3D sensor is used that can visualize the slice in longitudinal, transverse and vertical sections. You can also see an increase in the size of the liver on a regular ultrasound machine through a protruding tummy, the coverage of which significantly exceeds the norm.

At the same time, various hyperechoic inclusions are visible on the screen. As a rule, the anomaly is complemented by an enlarged spleen.

Among the reasons leading to an increase in the size of the digestive organs are hidden infections (toxoplasmosis, syphilis, chickenpox), as well as chromosomal mutations (Down, Zellweger, Beckwet-Wiedemann syndromes).

With Zellweger syndrome, abnormalities of the limbs, distortion of the chest, and kidney cysts are visible. Analysis of amniotic fluid reveals a deficiency of dihydroxy-acetone-phosphate acyl-transferase.
Chickenpox, herpes, and cytomegalovirus cause calcification of hepatic vein thrombi, which is reflected on the ultrasound monitor screen as hyperechoic round calcifications. They are also formed during meconium peritonitis - poisoning with the contents of the fetal intestines, which enters as a result of damage to the walls.

In 87.5% of cases, the cause of liver enlargement and the formation of calcifications is intrauterine infections. Also, most pregnant women are diagnosed with hyperechoic intestines, changes in the structure of the placenta, and a large spleen. Pathology in the 3rd trimester occurs in case of Rh conflict between mother and child.

Metabolic disorders are also possible. Liver enlargement occurs with galactosemia (a genetic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, due to which galactose is not converted into glucose), trypsinemia (lack of production of the digestive hormone trypsin), methylmalonic acidemia (lack of conversion of D-methylmalonic acid into succinic acid), and disorders of urea excretion.

Single large hyperechoic inclusions are much better than multiple scattered formations in combination with other pathologies. In almost 100% of cases, large hyperechoic inclusions are eliminated before the baby is born or in the first year of life.

In some cases, abdominal organ defects are diagnosed incorrectly. This happens if the baby’s abdominal cavity is compressed by the walls of the uterus, myometrial pathologies or other factors.

The monitor screen shows a pseudoomphalocele - an erroneous visualization of the exit of the abdominal organs beyond the abdominal wall. Sometimes ultrasound does not “see” significant defects. Thus, a hernia in shape and echostructure resembles intestinal loops; in this regard, Doppler ultrasound is of great help, allowing one to see the blood flow.

Our clinic has an excellent 4D device, equipped with all modern capabilities that eliminate diagnostic errors.

Stomach

At 16-20 weeks, the fetal stomach is visualized as an anechoic formation of a round or oval shape in the upper abdominal cavity. If the stomach is not filled with amniotic fluid, then we can talk about esophageal atresia (complete absence of lumen).

With a diaphragmatic hernia, the stomach is displaced and also cannot be detected on an ultrasound. Also, amniotic fluid is absent when the central nervous system is damaged in the fetus.

If the fetus swallows blood along with liquid, hyperechoic inclusions are visualized in the stomach. They are also seen in stomach tumors, but they are usually accompanied by other malformations. The size of the organ increases with intestinal obstruction, polyhydramnios, thickening of the walls, and absence of the lesser curvature.

A decrease in the size of the stomach is typical of microgastria, which occurs due to the absence of a bladder or abnormal position of the liver. In 52% of cases, the fetus dies before the 24th week of pregnancy, and the child is born non-viable.

A slit-like stomach is characteristic of underdevelopment in the early stages of pregnancy. This pathology is corrected after the baby is born: a stomach is constructed for the child from part of the small intestine. The operation is extremely complicated, but the anomaly is not an indication for an abortion.

Gastric atresia is characterized by the absence of echoshadow and involves the formation of a film with or without an opening located across the walls of the stomach. If this is an isolated pathology, then in 90% of cases it is eliminated surgically. But usually gastric atresia is combined with fusion of the esophagus, ascites (excessive accumulation of fluid), and underdevelopment of the lungs.

Gastric agenesis involves the complete absence of the organ. This is typical for severe chromosomal abnormalities that cause fetal death during the prenatal period. Ultrasound at week 22 is of great importance in diagnosis. some abnormalities disappear on their own, while others require immediate intervention.

Expecting a child is one of the happiest and most exciting moments in a woman’s life, which, unfortunately, is often accompanied by problems with the physical condition of the expectant mother herself or the development of the fetus. One of these pathologies is hyperechoic intestine in the fetus.

Increased echogenicity indicates the accumulation of feces, this is visible only when such a sign is detected, the doctor either conducts a detailed examination of the fetus or, which is better and more natural, refers the patient to a geneticist. And if a diagnosis of “hyperechoic intestine” is made in the fetus, the causes will be clarified at the chromosomal level.

Procedures for detecting the disease

Day by day, the time before meeting the child is reduced, and throughout the entire pregnancy, the mother treats her baby with care. As prescribed by doctors and for your own peace of mind, ultrasound and other examinations are performed in order to identify any abnormalities in the development of the fetus at the earliest stages and take further measures to resolve the situation. Already at 6-8 weeks, the baby’s intestines are visible, but for now it is outside the abdominal cavity. Active development of the organ begins after the 12th week of pregnancy.

Many mothers, due to their lack of medical education, do not know what hyperechoic intestines in the fetus are, and begin to worry greatly about the development and life of the unborn child. There are actually many reasons to worry if the diagnosis is confirmed. But in order to diagnose it, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination; ultrasound alone is not enough. It is possible that it will go away on its own over time.

What is hyperechoic bowel?

Often such a diagnosis can be made to completely healthy children, and in order to confirm the deviation or refute it, you need to undergo several procedures:

double/triple biochemical test;
repeat ultrasound in a month;
testing for antibodies.

At the slightest suspicion of pathology, you must undergo all examinations that the doctor prescribes. Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is the most common prenatal echographic marker of hereditary or congenital anomalies, which is accompanied by a high degree of echogenicity comparable to bone.

According to statistics, in the second trimester of pregnancy such a pathology is detected in 0.5% of fetuses. The reason for the appearance of the phenomenon has not been fully studied; such intestines in some cases can be considered normal or observed when the fetus swallows blood that is not digested in the intestinal lumen.

Diagnostic examination

First of all, you should immediately contact a geneticist who specializes in chromosomal phenomena. He will conduct an examination, look at and evaluate the data obtained in a biochemical test, study the ultrasound diagnostics that confirmed the diagnosis, how to treat hyperechoic intestines in the fetus, advise and monitor the management of the pregnancy.

If an ultrasound revealed signs of abnormality, this is not a reason to say that there is a chromosomal pathology, and this is not yet an indication for termination of pregnancy. In this case, invasive prenatal diagnosis is prescribed. Fetal cells are taken for fine microscopic analysis. This procedure is called chorionic villus aspiration.

If the diagnosis of hyperechoic bowel in the fetus is confirmed, a follow-up examination will be scheduled. On an ultrasound, such an intestine stands out strongly; it looks like a bright spot.

All measures to detect such a pathology are carried out no earlier than the 16th week. Before this period, the intestines of even a completely healthy fetus can have high echogenicity. In cases where visualization of fetal organs on ultrasound is difficult due to maternal obesity or oligohydramnios, transvaginal echography is used to identify the anomaly.

Reasons for deviations

If no increase in echogenicity is detected during further studies, then you can calm down. This feature of the intestine can be observed in absolutely healthy embryos and disappear over time.

However, such a deviation can also become a clear sign of serious genetic abnormalities or underdevelopment of the fetus, for example, it is diagnosed with Down syndrome. Therefore, doctors begin to sound the alarm at the slightest disturbance in the echogenicity of the intestines. It is necessary to create a complete clinical picture and make a clear assessment of all anatomical features of the fetus. The following reasons for the anomaly are also considered:

intrauterine infection of the fetus;
developmental delay.

When the cause is developmental delay

In this case, accompanying symptoms will be observed:

small size of the fetus that does not correspond to the period of development;
oligohydramnios;
decreased uterine blood flow;
decreased placental blood flow.

If these accompanying signs are present, we can talk about intrauterine developmental delay. If they are not there, this is excluded.

Often, an increase in echogenicity is associated with a decrease in the water component of meconium or peristalsis, because the activation of a decrease in amniotic fluid enzymes occurs precisely with chromosomal disorders.

During pregnancy, it is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of what causes such a deviation. Additional echographic markers of trisomy 13 include:

tachycardia;
holoprosencephaly;
Omphalocele.

Naturally, based on these indicators, it is impossible to draw a conclusion about the presence of a defect, but such data already puts the patient at risk.

Consequences of abnormalities in the intestines

A very rare finding is actually hyperechoic intestine in the fetus. The causes and consequences of such pathology are usually interrelated. Although this anomaly is a serious and important marker indicating abnormalities in fetal development, in most cases children are born healthy, without any abnormalities in the DNA. With dynamic observation, this pathology in most cases disappears, and after a few weeks the intestines become normal.

Detection of pathology in later stages of pregnancy (after the second trimester) may be a sign of the development of meconium peritonitis or meconium ileus, as well as indicate infection with chickenpox. Detection of deviations is caused by insufficient assessment. You also need to take into account that different technical devices may show significant differences in images.

When is surgery required?

In some cases, the hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is not dangerous; in other situations, the consequences can be dangerous. If meconium peritonitis is detected, surgery is prescribed, but not always. Surgery is required for acute abdominal symptoms and signs of obstruction. If there are no indications for surgery, dynamic monitoring of the newborn is prescribed. Often such operations are accompanied by large loss of blood, which can lead to

Intrauterine death occurs with this pathology in 8% of cases, neonatal losses - 0.8%. The overall incidence of prenatal adverse outcomes reaches 48.4%. If the phenomenon is detected in the prenatal period, the newborn requires dynamic observation and systematic therapy.

More about Down syndrome

This is a relatively common congenital pathology, which is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the 21st pair. Of all the studied abnormalities associated with abnormalities in chromosomes, this is the most common and studied. About half of children with this syndrome suffer from:

heart disease;
Hirschsprung's disease.

During pregnancy, screening tests are performed to determine Down syndrome. Invasive diagnostics help to suspect the risk of developing the disease at an early stage:

Ultrasound examination;
chordocentesis;
amniocentesis;
chorionic villus biopsy.

The probability of detecting a defect is 60-90%. This depends on the choice of research method.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus after 20 weeks

Hyperechoic intestine in a fetus at 20 weeks may be accompanied by signs. In this case, the attention of doctors will primarily be directed to excluding diseases at the chromosomal level. In this case, there will be no risks, and such changes in the intestines can occur in completely healthy children.

In any case, the patient will be referred to a geneticist to confirm or refute the diagnosis based on the examination and test results.

Based on the results of his conclusion, the specialist will give further recommendations for action. Since these symptoms may accompany infection, an examination is prescribed:

urearlasma;
mycoplasma;
Streptococcus gr. IN.

If a diagnosis of “hyperechoic intestine” is established in the fetus, what does this mean and what examination is prescribed? The woman undergoes a comprehensive diagnosis, which includes:

assessment of fetal ultrasound anatomy;
control over his condition;
performing infection tests.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus requires complex treatment. As a rule, the outcome of therapy is positive in most cases.