Persistent non-visualisation of the fetal stomach: diagnostic and prognostic implications

Abstract

Persistent non-visualisation of the fetal stomach in the antenatal period was associated with a wide range of underlying diagnoses. In many cases, prognosis was poor. Only 37% of pregnancies resulted in liveborn infants surviving more than 6 months. The incidence of an abnormal karyotype was 29%. Diagnosis and outcome was normal in only 9.2% of cases. We propose an algorithm for the management of persistent non-visualisation of the fetal stomach on antenatal ultrasound.