Echogenic fetal bowel

What it means

Echogenic bowel is defined as fetal bowel with homogenous areas of echogenicity that are equal to or greater than that of surrounding bone.

Echogenic fetal bowel may be observed in fetuses with normal outcomes, but may also be a marker for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, congenital infection, chromosomal anomalies, and intraamniotic bleeding. This finding can be observed on prenatal ultrasound. The echogenicity has been classified as either focal or multifocal. Grade 2 suggests that echogenicity is equal to bone whereas grade 3 suggests that it is greater.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Echogenic bowel · Echogenic foetal bowel · Hyperechogenic fetal bowel · Hyperechogenic foetal bowel · Prenatal ultrasound: hyperechogenic bowel