Hyperechoic intestine in a fetus at 18 weeks. Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus

This sign may indicate the presence of chromosomal or congenital abnormalities in the child. But the pathology of the embryo is not confirmed in all cases. Therefore, increased echogenicity on ultrasound is not a death sentence.

The phenomenon requires a thorough examination of the amniotic fluid, mother’s blood and consultation with a geneticist. Treatment includes surgery or monitoring the newborn. In the case of chromosomal abnormalities, the issue is resolved individually.

Causes

What are the causes of hyperechoic intestine in the fetus? Etiological factors may be:

• Down syndrome. In this case, in addition to hyperechogenicity, the fetus will show other signs of the pathological process (heart defects, ventricular septal defects).
• Intrauterine infection. Infectious agents that can cause such manifestations include cytomegalovirus, parvovirus, toxoplasma, herpes virus, rubella, and chickenpox.
• Congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract (Hirschsprung's disease, duodenal atresia).
• Developmental delay (body parts are smaller than they should be at a given stage of pregnancy). In this case, symptoms such as oligohydramnios, reduced uterine or placental blood flow, fetal tachycardia, umbilical cord hernia, and undivided cerebral hemispheres will also be observed.
• Meconium ileus.
• Meconium peritonitis.
• Fetoplacental insufficiency.

Which doctor treats hyperechoic intestine in a fetus?

Hyperechogenicity of the fetal intestine is a reason to visit a geneticist. He will conduct the necessary examinations and determine the presence or absence of chromosomal pathologies. In the absence of genetic disorders, the woman is observed and treated by a gynecologist. After the baby is born, you may need the help of a pediatric surgeon.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of “hyperechoic intestine” can be made after the following studies:

• Blood test for the presence of antibodies to herpes viruses, rubella, chickenpox, paramyxovirus. The presence of immunoglobulins M in the blood to one of the listed pathogens indicates an acute infection. If class G antibodies are detected, this indicates a long-term illness.
• Mniocentesis is the collection of amniotic fluid under ultrasound control. Amniotic fluid is examined for chromosomal abnormalities and intrauterine infection of the embryo. The conclusion will be ready in 21 days.
• Cordocentesis - blood is taken from the fetus through the umbilical cord, which is examined in the same way as amniotic fluid.
• Repeated ultrasound examination after 1 month. In most cases, hyperechoic bowel is not re-identified.
• Consultation with a geneticist.
• CTG (if necessary) - prescribed by the obstetrician-gynecologist leading the pregnancy.

Treatment

How to treat intestinal hyperechogenicity in the fetus? Treatment of this pathology depends on the etiological factor that led to its occurrence. Intrauterine infection will require treatment for a bacterial or viral infection. Intestinal obstruction, meconium ileus, meconium peritonitis, or duodenal atresia will require surgical treatment.

In the absence of symptoms of an acute abdomen, such children are monitored dynamically and surgery is not performed.

If meconium peritonitis develops, bleeding may occur. It leads to the formation of a short intestine.

Consequences

What are the consequences of hyperechoic intestine in the fetus? In 8% of cases, the embryo dies in utero. In less than 1% of cases, death occurs after the birth of a child during the first month of life. Overall, adverse effects were observed in 49%.

Hyperechoic intestine can lead to the development of a pathology such as cystic fibrosis in a newborn. However, in most cases, children who had this ultrasound sign in utero do not experience any diseases.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is an ultrasound sign indicating the likely presence of abnormalities. Intrauterine infections, genetic defects, in particular Down syndrome, intestinal obstruction or peritonitis, developmental delay or fetoplacental insufficiency can lead to increased echogenicity of the intestine. To make an accurate diagnosis, additional examinations are necessary.

Useful video about fetal ultrasound

The period of bearing a child is a long-awaited time for many women. But sometimes there are cases when troubles arise that are associated with the development of the unborn baby. One of the unpleasant pathologies is considered to be hyperechoic intestine in the fetus. What is meant by it and how does it threaten the baby? Let's figure it out.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus refers to a pathological process that is characterized by increased intra-abdominal structure, comparable to the echogenicity of bone tissue. It occurs in many expectant mothers and is diagnosed in the initial stages of pregnancy. By the sixteenth week, the brightness of the baby’s intestinal canal disappears.

However, there are situations when the pathological process makes itself felt. It is usually detected at the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy. Then expectant mothers are advised to undergo repeated examinations, because they can hide serious illnesses.

Increased echogenicity of the intestine in the fetus manifests itself for several reasons in the form of:

• risk of hereditary chromosomal disease. These include Down syndrome;
• intrauterine infection of the baby with various infections in the form of herpes, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, acute rubella;
• delay in intrauterine development in a child from gestation;
• decreased volume of amniotic fluid;
• disturbances of blood flow in the placenta, uterine vessels;
• development of cystic fibrosis. A disease that leads to disruption of the endocrine glands;
• congenital abnormal processes in the digestive system. These include asthenia of the small intestine, impaired peristalsis and obstructive lesions of the intestinal canal.

It is important to remember that the echogenicity of the fetal intestine during ultrasound diagnosis is always slightly higher than that of other organs in the abdominal area.

Therefore, you should not panic ahead of time, not knowing the cause of the disease.

Diagnosing the intestines in a child

Hyperechoic fetal intestine is difficult to identify immediately. If it is possible to see something using the ultrasound technique, then the expectant mother is prescribed an examination to determine the cause.

• This includes:
• biochemical screening. A woman's blood is drawn several times;
• repeat ultrasound diagnosis after three to four weeks;
• performing analysis for TORCH infections;

performing amniocentesis and cordocentesis.

If you see a hyperechoic intestine on an ultrasound, then there is a possibility that the newborn will develop other anomalies. They are diagnosed in eight percent of all cases.

To make sure that the fetus has not become infected, the expectant mother should be tested for TORCH infections. Results are based on the presence or absence of antibodies.

To test for the detection of chromosomal pathologies and intrauterine infection, amniotic fluid is collected from the umbilical cord. This diagnostic method is considered safe, since the material is taken under ultrasound control. The waiting time for results is approximately three weeks.

The most accurate way to identify the cause is cordocentesis. It involves taking blood directly from the umbilical cord using a puncture. Using the same technique, medications are administered to the fetus.

Possible consequences for the fetus

Increased echogenicity of the fetal intestine can lead to adverse consequences. First of all, a violation of the uteroplacental blood flow may occur, which can cause intrauterine growth retardation.

A reduced content of the water component in meconium can lead to intestinal obstruction. If perforation of the intestinal canal occurs, meconium will enter the abdominal area, resulting in infection. Thus, peritonitis develops, which can cause the formation of calcifications and cysts on the intestinal walls and surfaces of internal organs. A sterile abscess may also appear.

If the gastrodigestive system is disrupted, other anomalies may appear in the form of Meckel's diverticulum or Hirschsprung's disease. Meckel's diverticulum is an abnormal process that affects the connecting zone of the small intestine with the bile sac. The process is located between the navel and the ileum. Therefore, intestinal contents may be discharged from the umbilical region.

Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital defect characterized by the absence of nerve plexuses in the colon and the provision of constant peristalsis in it.

Treatment of intestinal hyperechogenicity

If other pathological processes are not present with hyperechogenicity of the intestinal canal, then the diagnosis can be considered erroneous. If anomalies are found during diagnosis, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment and manages the entire pregnancy from beginning to end.

If there is an increased likelihood of the baby having Down syndrome, experts strongly advise abortion. The final answer remains with the parents, since there are cases when the diagnosis does not correspond to reality.

For intrauterine infection, patients are prescribed immunomodulatory medications and immunoglobulins. Many mothers claim that even with such a diagnosis, the pregnancy ends well, and the baby is born completely healthy and strong.

Often, with hyperechogenicity of the intestinal canal after birth, colic occurs in newborns. Dealing with such a problem is quite difficult. They torment babies constantly after eating.

Intestinal colic in newborns with this diagnosis disappears closer to a year. But in healthy children they are completed by three months. Spasms can lead to constant regurgitation, causing doctors to make an erroneous diagnosis.

The newborn's intestines develop even after birth. But with such a baby it is necessary to remain registered for a long time.

Treatment of intestinal colic in infants consists of taking sorbents in the form of Smecta, preparations based on fennel and other herbs in the form of Plantex, Espumisan, medications based on simethicone in the form of SubSimplex. The duration of treatment therapy is determined by the doctor.

If meconium peritonitis develops at the birth of the baby, then surgical intervention is performed urgently. Internal bleeding, which is provoked by peritonitis, leads to short intestinal canal syndrome.

It is not always necessary to treat pathology. In most cases, the child’s body copes with the problem on its own.

Preventive actions

Hyperechogenicity of the intestinal canal occurs for many reasons. Therefore, the expectant mother should think about the baby’s health and take a number of important preventive measures.

Before conceiving, undergo an examination and pass all tests for infections. If something is discovered, then it is worth undergoing medical therapy. You should plan a pregnancy after an infection no earlier than three months after taking the last pill.

Lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right. It is worth giving up drinking alcohol and smoking. Take care of proper sleep and rest. Eat rationally.

During pregnancy, promiscuity should be avoided. Nobody prohibits an expectant mother from having sex, but it is necessary to use contraceptives in the form of condoms.

During the gestation period, you need to walk as often as possible, because one of the reasons is fetal hypoxia and impaired blood flow.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is considered a fairly common problem, but the diagnosis is not always confirmed. In most cases, parents refuse a thorough examination and give birth to healthy babies. But each case is individual, since in some situations everything ends in intrauterine fetal death.

Expecting a child is one of the happiest and most exciting moments in a woman’s life, which, unfortunately, is often accompanied by problems with the physical condition of the expectant mother herself or the development of the fetus. One of these pathologies is hyperechoic intestine in the fetus.

Increased echogenicity indicates the accumulation of feces, this is visible only when such a sign is detected, the doctor either conducts a detailed examination of the fetus or, which is better and more natural, refers the patient to a geneticist. And if a diagnosis of “hyperechoic intestine” is made in the fetus, the causes will be clarified at the chromosomal level.

Procedures for detecting the disease

Day by day, the time before meeting the child is reduced, and throughout the entire pregnancy, the mother treats her baby with care. As prescribed by doctors and for your own peace of mind, ultrasound and other examinations are performed in order to identify any abnormalities in the development of the fetus at the earliest stages and take further measures to resolve the situation. Already at 6-8 weeks, the baby’s intestines are visible, but for now it is outside the abdominal cavity. Active development of the organ begins after the 12th week of pregnancy.

Many mothers, due to their lack of medical education, do not know what hyperechoic intestines in the fetus are, and begin to worry greatly about the development and life of the unborn child. There are actually many reasons to worry if the diagnosis is confirmed. But in order to diagnose it, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination; ultrasound alone is not enough. It is possible that it will go away on its own over time.

What is hyperechoic bowel?

Often such a diagnosis can be made to completely healthy children, and in order to confirm the deviation or refute it, you need to undergo several procedures:

• double/triple biochemical test;
• repeat ultrasound in a month;
• testing for antibodies.

At the slightest suspicion of pathology, you must undergo all examinations that the doctor prescribes. Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is the most common prenatal echographic marker of hereditary or congenital anomalies, which is accompanied by a high degree of echogenicity comparable to bone.

According to statistics, in the second trimester of pregnancy such a pathology is detected in 0.5% of fetuses. The reason for the appearance of the phenomenon has not been fully studied; such intestines in some cases can be considered normal or observed when the fetus swallows blood that is not digested in the intestinal lumen.

Diagnostic examination

First of all, you should immediately contact a geneticist who specializes in chromosomal phenomena. He will conduct an examination, look at and evaluate the data obtained in a biochemical test, study the ultrasound diagnostics that confirmed the diagnosis, how to treat hyperechoic intestines in the fetus, advise and monitor the management of the pregnancy.

If an ultrasound revealed signs of abnormality, this is not a reason to say that there is a chromosomal pathology, and this is not yet an indication for termination of pregnancy. In this case, invasive prenatal diagnosis is prescribed. Fetal cells are taken for fine microscopic analysis. This procedure is called chorionic villus aspiration.

If the diagnosis of hyperechoic bowel in the fetus is confirmed, a follow-up examination will be scheduled. On an ultrasound, such an intestine stands out strongly; it looks like a bright spot.

All measures to detect such a pathology are carried out no earlier than the 16th week. Before this period, the intestines of even a completely healthy fetus can have high echogenicity. In cases where visualization of fetal organs on ultrasound is difficult due to maternal obesity or oligohydramnios, transvaginal echography is used to identify the anomaly.

Reasons for deviations

If no increase in echogenicity is detected during further studies, then you can calm down. This feature of the intestine can be observed in absolutely healthy embryos and disappear over time.

However, such a deviation can also become a clear sign of serious genetic abnormalities or underdevelopment of the fetus, for example, it is diagnosed with Down syndrome. Therefore, doctors begin to sound the alarm at the slightest disturbance in the echogenicity of the intestines. It is necessary to create a complete clinical picture and make a clear assessment of all anatomical features of the fetus. The following reasons for the anomaly are also considered:

• intrauterine infection of the fetus;
• developmental delay.

When the cause is developmental delay

In this case, accompanying symptoms will be observed:

• small size of the fetus that does not correspond to the period of development;
• oligohydramnios;
• decreased uterine blood flow;
• decreased placental blood flow.

If these accompanying signs are present, we can talk about intrauterine developmental delay. If they are not there, this is excluded.

Often, an increase in echogenicity is associated with a decrease in the water component of meconium or peristalsis, because the activation of a decrease in amniotic fluid enzymes occurs precisely with chromosomal disorders.

During pregnancy, it is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of what causes such a deviation. Additional echographic markers of trisomy 13 include:

• tachycardia;
• holoprosencephaly;
• Omphalocele.

Naturally, based on these indicators, it is impossible to draw a conclusion about the presence of a defect, but such data already puts the patient at risk.

Consequences of abnormalities in the intestines

A very rare finding is actually hyperechoic intestine in the fetus. The causes and consequences of such pathology are usually interrelated. Although this anomaly is a serious and important marker indicating abnormalities in fetal development, in most cases children are born healthy, without any abnormalities in the DNA. With dynamic observation, this pathology in most cases disappears, and after a few weeks the intestines become normal.

Detection of pathology in later stages of pregnancy (after the second trimester) may be a sign of the development of meconium peritonitis or meconium ileus, as well as indicate infection with chickenpox. Detection of deviations is caused by insufficient assessment. You also need to take into account that different technical devices may show significant differences in images.

When is surgery required?

In some cases, the hyperechoic intestine in the fetus is not dangerous; in other situations, the consequences can be dangerous. If meconium peritonitis is detected, surgery is prescribed, but not always. Surgery is required for acute abdominal symptoms and signs of obstruction. If there are no indications for surgery, dynamic monitoring of the newborn is prescribed. Often such operations are accompanied by large loss of blood, which can lead to

Intrauterine death occurs with this pathology in 8% of cases, neonatal losses - 0.8%. The overall incidence of prenatal adverse outcomes reaches 48.4%. If the phenomenon is detected in the prenatal period, the newborn requires dynamic observation and systematic therapy.

More about Down syndrome

This is a relatively common congenital pathology, which is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the 21st pair. Of all the studied abnormalities associated with abnormalities in chromosomes, this is the most common and studied. About half of children with this syndrome suffer from:

• heart disease;
• Hirschsprung's disease.

During pregnancy, screening tests are performed to determine Down syndrome. Invasive diagnostics help to suspect the risk of developing the disease at an early stage:

• Ultrasound examination;
• chordocentesis;
• amniocentesis;
• chorionic villus biopsy.

The probability of detecting a defect is 60-90%. This depends on the choice of research method.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus after 20 weeks

Hyperechoic intestine in a fetus at 20 weeks may be accompanied by signs. In this case, the attention of doctors will primarily be directed to excluding diseases at the chromosomal level. In this case, there will be no risks, and such changes in the intestines can occur in completely healthy children.

In any case, the patient will be referred to a geneticist to confirm or refute the diagnosis based on the examination and test results.

Based on the results of his conclusion, the specialist will give further recommendations for action. Since these symptoms may accompany infection, an examination is prescribed:

• urearlasma;
• mycoplasma;
• Streptococcus gr. IN.

If a diagnosis of “hyperechoic intestine” is established in the fetus, what does this mean and what examination is prescribed? The woman undergoes a comprehensive diagnosis, which includes:

• assessment of fetal ultrasound anatomy;
• control over his condition;
• performing infection tests.

Hyperechoic intestine in the fetus requires complex treatment. As a rule, the outcome of therapy is positive in most cases.

Some congenital anomalies of a child can be seen in the early stages through ultrasound and other studies, when internal organs are just beginning to form. One of the diagnostic signs of the disease is hyperechoic intestine in the fetus. This term implies an increased contrast of the organ relative to others; the intestine differs in color from nearby systems and can reach the brightness of bone. This anomaly during intrauterine development is observed very rarely; only in 0.5% of cases in the second trimester of pregnancy can this symptom be observed. This diagnostic sign can indicate several deviations at once. For example, the fetus can swallow blood, which remains in the intestines without being digested. Already in the later stages, a hyperechoic organ may indicate the onset of peritonitis in case of infection with chickenpox.

Darkening can be observed not only in the intestinal area; there can also be a hyperechoic focus in the fetal heart and other organs, which may indicate local abnormalities that are no less unpleasant for the unborn child and mother. The danger of deviation differs in each case, and if it is possible to detect the disease in a timely manner and carry out prevention, then the prognosis remains favorable.

Such deviations are more often diagnosed during a routine examination of a pregnant woman during an ultrasound scan. After this, it is necessary to undergo a series of diagnostic measures to determine the cause and begin treatment, because such a symptom may indicate several diseases, including Down syndrome.

Causes of hyperechogenicity

Hyperechoic intestines in an unborn child should not cause panic, because this may be a temporary condition. Therefore, if such a deviation is detected, the diagnosis is made only after several repeated studies.

The presence of such a diagnosis cannot say for sure about Down syndrome, but it makes the child predisposed to this disease. The expectant mother should be prepared for such a consequence. This symptom may also indicate a violation of intrauterine development, its slowdown, as well as infection of the fetus. In any case, you need to take measures, undergo treatment and constantly monitor the condition of the fetus.

To exclude or confirm a fetal development disorder, you need to check:

These indicators will help make a preliminary diagnosis, but you also need to take a blood test for biochemistry and be examined for the presence of specific antibodies to various viruses, cytomegalovirus, rubella, parvovirus, and herpes simplex virus.

Darkening of the heart, namely the right or left ventricle, may be a consequence of excessive salt deposition, the presence of abnormalities in the set of chromosomes (Down syndrome) and an additional chord.

In the first case, when salts are the cause, the deviation goes away on its own by the third trimester of pregnancy and poses no danger. An additional chord can already provoke heart murmurs, which also disappear without risk to health by 3-4 years. With such a diagnosis, the child should be regularly examined by a cardiologist, and then no unpleasant consequences will follow.

This diagnosis can be made as early as 5 weeks of pregnancy, a week after the heart was formed. Its contractions can be detected by performing a transvaginal ultrasound. You can also examine the heart with an abdominal sensor, but only from the 8th week of pregnancy. The absence of a heartbeat at this stage most likely indicates fetal fading. A hyperechoic focus in the ventricular region can most often be observed between 18-25 weeks. The study is prescribed according to indications.

The following conditions will be the basis for fetal echocardioscopy:

• late pregnancy after 35 years;
• detection of abnormalities in the functioning of the heart using standard ultrasound;
• delay in fetal development, violation of organ formation;
• the mother's experience of infectious and viral pathologies in early pregnancy.

Detection of developmental abnormalities or an additional chromosome is an indication for additional diagnostics or, in severe cases, termination of pregnancy. After the birth of a child with such a diagnosis, a developmental delay can be observed, which can compensate over time, or the condition only worsens.

What is the danger

The consequences of a hyperechoic focus can be the already mentioned congenital pathologies, rapid heartbeat and Down syndrome. If there is an additional chord in the heart, which causes it to darken, there is no danger for the child; he can live with it without any disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The expectant mother is recommended to register with a cardiologist immediately after the birth of her baby and undergo regular examinations. As soon as the doctor sees that the noises have completely disappeared, the child receives a certificate of absolute health and no longer requires frequent examinations by the pediatrician.

At the age of 2-3 months, it is recommended to undergo an ultrasound of the heart, which will fully tell you about the condition of the organ and exclude concomitant ailments of the cardiovascular system. Only in extremely rare cases can an additional chord cause a congenital heart defect, but this does not always become the main cause. Most likely, the defect was provoked by a concomitant illness that could not be detected in a timely manner.

As for intestinal hyperechogenicity, the child can expect similar consequences. A child may also be born with cystic fibrosis. Unpleasant consequences after birth are extremely rare if the woman was observed by a doctor throughout her pregnancy and followed preventive measures.

Treatment and prevention

The woman will be treated and monitored by a geneticist, surgeon and cardiologist. The task of specialists will be timely examination and exclusion of any diseases in the woman. Pregnant women who have had infectious diseases at different stages of pregnancy are at risk, which is why it is so important to protect the expectant mother from the source of pathological microorganisms and their carriers. This will be the main prevention and treatment. There are no specific medications or procedures to treat it, but symptoms will resolve as symptoms arise. The woman is undergoing a general course of improving her body. It is recommended to additionally undergo tests for all kinds of viral infections and immediately begin treatment for them.

It is important to remember that intestinal hyperechogenicity is not a diagnosis or a disease, but only a diagnostic sign, which in itself does not pose any danger. Only when the pregnant woman or the fetus itself has other abnormalities, this sign can become a manifestation of a congenital disease or a temporary disorder in the development of the fetus.

To prevent danger in case of hyperechogenicity, standard primary prevention of congenital diseases is carried out. This includes changing the pregnant woman’s lifestyle, eliminating the exacerbation of existing chronic diseases and the emergence of new ones. It is important to improve the nutrition of the expectant mother, strengthen the general condition of the body, and teach the woman special preventive measures by medical workers.

Pregnancy is an important stage in the life of every woman. That is why you need to take a special responsibility in following all the recommendations prescribed by the doctor, and most importantly, do not neglect various studies. The main procedure that the expectant mother should undergo regularly is ultrasound. It helps to monitor how the fetus develops and to promptly identify unexpected deviations in its formation. One of them is hyperechoic intestine in the fetus.

What does hyperechoic bowel mean?

To understand what this phrase means, you need to refer to ultrasound terminology. Echogenicity is a concept denoting the level of density of tissue examined by an ultrasound device. On the ultrasound screen this is manifested in the brightness of the display of certain organs.

Normally, the intestines of the unborn child should be higher in echogenicity than the liver, kidneys or lungs, but lower than the bones. If the brightness of the intestine is equal to the brightness of the fetal bone tissue, it is said to be hyperechogenic.

Examinations to identify such pathology are carried out only in the second trimester. Until the sixteenth week, any data will be inaccurate and uninformative. Although already at this time the doctor should pay attention to the level of echogenicity of the organs, so as not to miss the problem in the future. The longer the pregnancy at which hyperechogenicity was detected, the more likely the presence of abnormalities in fetal development.

Symptoms of pathology

In addition to ultrasound readings, a number of accompanying signs may indicate anomalies of intestinal development in the fetus:

1. Disturbances in the formation of other fetal organs, as well as delay in general development;
2. Discrepancy between the size of the unborn baby and the parameters considered normal;
3. Reduced amount of amniotic fluid;
4. Tachycardia in the embryo, characterized by increased heart rate (about two hundred beats per minute);
5. The presence of a severe fetal defect - omphalocele - in which the abdominal organs turn outward through a pathologically dilated umbilical cord;
6. Anomaly in the development of the child’s brain: partial or complete absence of its division into hemispheres;
7. Violation of uteroplacental blood flow.

At the first suspicion of hyperechoic intestine in the fetus, as well as in the event of any of these signs, the doctor must send the pregnant woman for additional examinations, including genetic ones.

Reasons for the development of intestinal hyperechogenicity in the fetus

There are several explanations for the anomaly in question. One of the common ones is a diagnostic error. That is why experts advise undergoing an ultrasound in several more clinics if increased echogenicity was detected in the first one.

Often repeated diagnostics by another specialist using different equipment shows the opposite result.

In addition, hyperechoic fetal intestine can be caused by the following reasons:

If after the next ultrasound it was concluded that the fetus has a hyperechoic intestine, there is no need to despair and panic. It is important to remember that excessive suspiciousness of the mother harms the baby. All you need to do is follow your doctor’s recommendations for special tests. Often, increased echogenicity on ultrasound is observed in absolutely healthy children, so no preliminary conclusions can be made without examinations.

What to do if hyperechoic intestine is detected

It is impossible to talk about any treatment, be it medicinal or surgical, until an accurate diagnosis has been determined.

An intestine with increased echogenicity is not a disease, but only a sign that may indicate the presence of one. Many women, having learned about this problem and read horror stories on forums, rush to extremes, look for ways to be cured, and even resort to traditional medicine. All this is dictated by groundless panic and can cause enormous harm to the health of the mother and unborn child.

What to do if an ultrasound showed hyperechoic fetal intestine? Usually the doctor recommends undergoing a series of tests that will help understand the reasons that caused the phenomenon:

Your doctor may recommend all types of tests or just some of them. Sometimes you have to wait quite a long time for results – up to three weeks. After receiving them, a decision is made on further actions: treatment, if possible, or termination of the pregnancy (for example, if the diagnosis of Down syndrome is confirmed). The latter is carried out only with the consent of the mother.