Readout - Small Stomach with Normal Fluid
Take Home Points
visual assessment of normal fluid
- Torso of the fetus fills the cavity
- Communicating pockets of fluid between the small parts
is there a "normal" measurement of the stomach?
There probably is, but we suggest a gestalt evaluation
what is the concern and risk involved?
- Main concern is, of course, esophageal atresia (with tracheo-esophageal fistula)
- UCSF Study Highlights
- Only 1/3 of esophageal atresia (EA) cases diagnosed prenatally
- Only one fetus with EA had normal fluid
- Even with polyhydramnios and small stomach, there is still only <50% chance of EA
what to do?
We suggest not raising any significant alarm in a case such as this and to either scan the patient later that day or bring them back for a short interval followup (approx. 1 week) to reassess stomach size.