The stomach of a fetus may be small or absent on ultrasonography. The significance of this finding varies.
Fetus selection: after 18 weeks
Risk factors for a poor fetal outcome if the stomach is small or absent:
(1) persistent nonvisualization
(2) oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios
(3) presence of other structural defects
(4) abnormal karyotype
Not all fetuses with a small or absent stomach have a bad outcome. A fetus with a small or absent stomach should be followed more closely and completely.
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