Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 10, Issue 4 211-220, Copyright © 1991 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonography of normal fetal bowel
S. G. Parulekar
Department of Radiology, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
This is a prospective study of the sonographic appearance of normal small
bowel and colon in 300 fetuses. Normal fetal bowel can be frequently seen
during sonographic examination. The diameter of the lumen of the small
bowel and colon increases as gestational age increases. The fetal small
bowel lumen rarely exceeds 6 mm in diameter, and fetal colon lumen diameter
rarely exceeds 23 mm. Small bowel peristalsis can be seen with increasing
frequency with increasing gestational age. Colon peristalsis is not seen.
Haustral folds in the colon can be frequently demonstrated. Meconium in the
colon always remains hypoechoic relative to the fetal liver and bowel wall.
Hyperechoic appearance of the small bowel in early gestation and cystic
appearance of parts of the colon in later gestation may mimic pathology.
Normal herniation of bowel into umbilical cord can be seen in early (8 to
11 weeks) gestation.
