Introduction: Small bowel atresia (SBA) is one of the most common causes of congenital intestinal obstruction. However, the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosing this condition has not been entirely ascertained. The aim of this study was to analyse the predictive accuracy of ultrasound in detecting SBA prenatally. Methodology: Retrospective study of all cases with prenatal suspicion or postnatal confirmed SBA seen in a tertiary fetal medicine and pediatric surgery units from 2007 to 2013. Cases with duodenal atresia were excluded from the study. The predictive accuracy of ultrasound and different ultrasound signs, alone and in combination, was calculated. Results: 65 fetuses with prenatal suspicion or postnatal confirmed SBA were enrolled. 58 cases had full data and were included in the analysis. Predictive accuracy of ultrasound in detecting the presence of SBA was poor, with a sensitivity of 50% (95% CI 26.0-74.0) and a specificity of 70.59% (95% CI 52.5-84.9). The presence of both bowel dilatation ≥17 mm and polyhydramnios after 32 weeks of gestation slightly increased sensitivity (66.67%, 95% CI 34.9-90.1) and specificity (80.00%, 95% CI 44.4-97.5). Conclusions: In case of suspicion of SBA before the 3rd trimester, an ultrasound after 32 weeks should be performed to confirm the presence of both polyhydramnios and bowel dilatation >17 mm.

US has been a safe and effective tool in the assessment of intestinal rotation at our institution. The main advantages of US imaging are its lack of ionising radiation and its rapid and accurate diagnosis of volvulus.

Summary The influence of pre‐eclamptic toxaemia (PET) on head size and birth weight of newborn infants and placental weight was studied in single live births after 35 to 42 weeks gestation from mothers with or without toxaemia. There were no significant differences in the distribution of mean birth weight, head size, placental weight, head size/birth weight ratio or placental weight/birth weight ratio between the toxaemic and non‐toxaemic groups. There were significant differences between toxaemic and non‐toxaemic mothers as regards parity, height and smoking habits. Since such maternal characteristics influence birth weights a correction was applied for them. The influence of maternal mid‐term weight and sex of the infants was also taken into account. No significant differences in corrected birth weights, between toxaemic and non‐toxaemic groups were detected on further analysis. It is suggested that the present obstetric management has prevented the retarding effect of pre‐eclamptic toxaemia on fetal and placental growth by reducing the severity and duration of the illness.

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