Abstract

Objectives: To determine fetal and neonatal outcome in referrals with isolated abdominal fetal calcifications. Methods: We report 24 cases of prenatally diagnosis isolated abdominal calcifications referred to our centre over the period 1997–2007. The management included detailed fetal ultrasound imaging, maternal TORCH analysis, parental and fetal cystic fibrosis mutations analysis, fetal karyotype, and infectious investigations in amniotic fluid. Neonatal examination and postnatal ultrasound findings were collected and follow-up was obtained. Results: In 16 cases, abdominal calcifications were limited to one single organ (7 into the liver, 1 into the bowel, 1 into the spleen, 6 cases close to stomach and 1 behind the liver). In 2 cases, TORCH screening was abnormal (1 case of CMV and 1 toxoplasmosis) and in 1 case ureplasma urealyticum was found in amniotic fluid. Calcifications size remained stable during pregnancy for all cases excepted one with spontaneous antenatal resolution. In 8 cases, multiple abdominal calcifications were present. CMV infection was found in 2 cases and in 1 case Ureaplasma urealyticum was found in amniotic fluid. Postnatal outcome was complicated by neonatal peritonitis for one newborn and by chorioamnionitis ureaplasma for another one. For the others, postnatal outcome was uneventful and abdominal isolated calcifications were confirmed in postnatal US examination. No abnormal karyotype and no genetic abnormality of parental and fetal CF screen was evidenced. Conclusions: Abdominal isolated calcifications are frequently found at the 2nd trimester US. Our experience shows that when they are isolated to one single organ, neonatal outcome is uneventful but when they are present in multiple localisations, there is an increased risk of neonatal complications, as meconial peritonitis or chorioamniotitis. The prenatal management should include maternal TORCH screen and US Follow-up and amniotic fluid sampling should be discussed

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