Though echogenic fetal bowel has been associated with meconium ileus and/or 
peritonitis, it may be a normal finding in the second trimester. The purpose of 
this study is to determine which characteristics might distinguish fetuses 
ultimately having abnormal outcomes in a population at low risk for cystic 
fibrosis. Seven fetuses with echogenic bowel were identified: 5 fetuses < or = 
20 weeks gestation (group 1) and 2 fetuses 20-25 weeks gestation (group 2) at 
diagnosis. Four of 5 group 1 fetuses had resolution of the echogenic bowel 
during the second trimester. One group 2 fetus had a persistent mass associated 
with growth deficiency and trisomy 18. The neonatal bowel evaluation was normal 
in the remaining 2 fetuses although echogenic findings persisted into the third 
trimester. In a low-risk population, echogenic bowel usually resolves without 
neonatal sequelae. Even when persistent into the third trimester, echogenic 
bowel does not uniformly herald an abnormal outcome. Echogenic bowel coexistent 
with other abnormalities (such as growth deficiency or structural malformations) 
may be a comarker for aneuploidy.