The stomach was successfully visualized in 1051 (98%) of 1071 consecutive sonograms obtained in 995 fetuses after 14 weeks gestational age. All patients were studied prospectively. Stomach nonvisualization was associated with an abnormal outcome in 55% of the fetuses studied after 14 weeks and in 100% of the fetuses studied after 19 weeks. Fetal abnormalities included gastrointestinal and CNS malformations. Oligohydramnios was often present. The absence of a stomach on fetal sonograms obtained after 14 weeks gestational age strongly suggests fetal abnormality. Repeat sonograms should be obtained in all such cases.
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Pretorius et al. (1988) studied this question.
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