Sonographic borderlands in the fetal abdomen

Ultrasonographic examination of the fetal abdomen is an integral part in all routine fetal sonograms and can provide significant information about the status and prognosis of the fetus. Although many types of fetal anomalies can be identified (i.e., gastroschisis, omphalocele, or congenital diaphragmatic hernia), there are several sonographic findings that are not clearly anomalous, but may be associated with poor fetal outcome. Echogenic fetal bowel, small or absent fetal stomach and fetal intra-abdominal calcifications all fall into this category. This article reviews the recent literature as it relates to these topics, including suggestions regarding the need for further action, and the types of further actions that are available to help identify abnormal fetuses and prevent unnecessary and/or invasive testing of normal ones.