Fetal echogenic bowel in association with Zellweger syndrome

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 1799 - 1802
• Main Authors: Aydemir, Ozge, Kavurt, Sumru, Esin, Sertaç, Kandemir, Omer, Bas, Ahmet Yagmur, Demirel, Nihal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01.06.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Echogenic Bowel - etiology; Female; fetal echogenic bowel; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; neurometabolic disease; peroxisomal disorders; Pregnancy; prenatal ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Zellweger syndrome; Zellweger Syndrome - complications; Zellweger Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Zellweger syndrome; prenatal ultrasonography; fetal echogenic bowel; peroxisomal disorders; neurometabolic disease
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/jog.12379

Increased echogenicity of fetal bowel in the second trimester obstetrical ultrasound has been described in association with several pathologic conditions, such as growth restriction, aneuploidy, cystic fibrosis, congenital infections, and gastrointestinal malformations. Zellweger syndrome (ZS) is the prototype of peroxisomal disorders characterized by craniofacial dysmorphism and severe neurologic abnormalities. We report two cases with fetal echogenic bowel (FEB) but no associated anomalies and normal fetal growth. After birth, clinical and laboratory findings led to diagnosis of ZS. Association of FEB with neurometabolic disorders is limited to a few case reports in the medical literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ZS associated with FEB.