Echogenic bowel

[NatGee]

I wanted to share my experience with baby having been found to have an echogenic bowel at the 20 week / anomaly scan

The couple of days following this finding were quite scary for me so I scoured the internet looking for anyone whod gone through the same. What I found answered a lot of the questions I had so hopefully I will be able to add to that

Our 12 week / dating scan went smoothly and I had been feeling fine, with the exception of three almost back to back colds I'd had in the weeks leading up to it so I was optimistic when the time came for our 20 week scan

The grade 2 (bright as bone) echogenicity of the bowel was the only thing they found on screen that was of concern, and there were no other markers for abnormalities.

I was told four things could be the cause: Downs syndrome, cystic fibrosis, infection or just a very clear ultrasound. I was promptly taken for blood tests to screen for these; NIPT, CF gene carrier testing for both my DH and I and TORC.

It took weeks for all of the tests to come back but they've now all come back negative, to our immense relief.

I hope this helps anyone who might be going through the same situation. Sharing because I know how stressful it is and how much of your headspace it can take up so hopefully this will give you some hope.

Thank you so much for sharing your story - I’m currently waiting on my TORCH infection screen and amniocentesis results for the exact same reason.

I had a really awful cold right before conception, so I’ve been so worried that it’s CMV (I already have a very disabled child who wasn’t diagnosed till birth, so we couldn’t manage another).

I’m 18 weeks and so scared of having to make a life-changing decision that I’d never get over. So thank you for sharing your story.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy 💗

I completely understand what youre going through, the wait is just so nerve wrecking. While we were waiting I read that echogenic bowel, in the absence of other markers, goes away on its own in the majority of cases so hoping that'll apply to you. Keep strong and keep positive

May I ask why you had an amnio done? This was not offered to us.

Also, were there no signs of cmv with your first child? CMV was also one of the things I was afraid of and also read extensively about it. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but if you've had it already with your first child, could you get it again and pass it on? I thought not?

Thanks for your well wishes, please keep me updated id love to hear how you get on xx

I'll add my positive story.

At my 20 week scan DD had echogenic bowel and fluid build up in her abdomen and kidneys. We ruled out an infection (CMV) and CF. We actually declined the amnio because we were prepared to welcome a baby with Down Syndrome. I probably would have accepted the NIPT had it been available at the time. The whole pregnancy was stressful to be honest but the fetal medicine team we saw were fantastic.

Thankfully DD was born healthy.

How many weeks are you now @NatGee ?

Fingers crossed for you @KayDiz23

@echogenic very positive indeed, congratulations on your healthy daughter and thanks for sharing. I can imagine it being stressful not knowing but to be fair, one never really knows until the moment baby arrives
I am currently 26 weeks by my dates/ 27 by the NHS'

Update: just wanted to come on here and update you on the first of three growth scans I was booked for to monitor baby and make sure no iugr and that they're OK generally. I am now 28 weeks and this week I received the news that babys bowel has cleared up and there's no sign of echogenicity. It is unclear whether I am being followed up by a consultant - if so hopefully I'll be discharged back to midwifes care.

Another positive story here! DD was found to have isolated echogenic bowel at 20 weeks scan. Was referred to fetal medicine specialist and was followed up till 34 weeks. DD had a slight growth restriction towards the end and was born 3 weeks preterm, but perfectly fine 💕

She is a naughty 7 month old now with no bowel related issues! Infact she didn't even develop colic in her early months!

@drV ah and what a positive story it is ! congratulations on your baby daughter, born with no issues whatsoever, thanks for sharing :D If you dont mind my asking, did she come naturally or was there intervention?

@NatGee i had decided to go for an elective CS but my waters broke at 36+4 and so it was converted to emergency cesarian section! Baby girl was in a hurry to meet mummy and daddy😅

@drV I dont blamer her :) congrats again xx

Hi @NatGee i am in a similar situation. 19 weeks and echogenic bowel. Gave bloodwork for cmv and is extremely worried as I have cough and cold past two months. What were your cold symptoms

@Niv0616 sorry to hear youre in the same predicament. I had three colds back to back at the start of my pregnancy, so within the first 8 weeks or so, two of which I caught from my husband. I had a runny nose, headache, sore throat that then would turn into a cough. All i did was rest and rub vicks on me and sleep. Not much else I could have done.

Is your blood being tested for CMV only? I had the TORCH test done as it also screens for toxoplasmosis and herpes which can also be harmful for baby. If thats not what got done for you id ask. I also had a cystic fibrosis test and the NIPT done. Again, id ask for all of these.

In the majority of cases, echogenic bowels do resolve themselves, so take heart that statistically the odds are in your favour.

When is your next scan?

I have given for CMV. All other tests like for CF and DS are all negative. Waiting for the resukts. Not sure about the next scan. Have an appointment with obgyn tomorrow

I am worried just because of have cough .