ANTENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF DUODENAL ATRESIA

Abstract

Summary A primigravida presenting with hydramnios at 34 weeks' gestation was found to have distended fluid‐filled spaces inside the fetal abdomen on ultrasonic B scan. Amniography showed a normal fetal soft‐tissue outline and normal scalp thickss with the absence of contrast medium in the fetal gastro‐intestinal tract at two‐and‐a‐half hours. It is suggested that this combination of findings is, if not diagnostic, at least highly suggestive of duodenal atresia and that the intrauterine diagnosis of this condition may enable corrective surgery to be carried out early before neonatal electrolyte disturbances affect the prognosis.