Outcomes of urinary tract abnormalities diagnosed by the routine third trimester scan.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) detected for the first time in an unselected population undergoing a routine third trimester scan between 30-34 week's gestation. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 8562 routine third trimester ultrasound scans during which the fetal anatomy was evaluated, and, any structural abnormalities detected, recorded onto a fetal database which was subsequently analysed for CAKUT. All postnatal records of antenatally diagnosed CAKUT were obtained and analysed for diagnosis and management. RESULTS: There were 26 cases of urological abnormalities detected for the first time in the third trimester. The most frequent abnormality was unilateral renal pelvis dilatation (73%). Postnatal ultrasound confirmed abnormalities in 19 (73%) newborns, with two (8%) resolving antenatally and four (15%) postnatally. The overall incidence of new CAKUT detected by the third trimester scan was 0.22% (19/8562) with a male to female ratio of 1:1.6. Four patients required surgery, two received cystoscopic injection of Deflux with circumcision, one received cystoscopic valve ablation and one patient received a staged hypospadias repair. CONCLUSION: Routine third trimester scanning is already performed in many countries with proposed benefits primarily directed towards the monitoring of fetal growth and late pregnancy malpresentation. For healthcare systems that still utilize two routine scans, debate is ongoing as to the value of introducing a routine third trimester scan. The ability to detect additional and potentially missed CAKUT is a further benefit, which in isolation is likely of too small an impact to merit implementation. However, the combination of fetal structural assessment, growth velocity monitoring and fetal presentation evaluation presents a strong case for inclusion in an antenatal screening program. The findings of this study highlight the importance of a detailed fetal structural evaluation at each antenatal ultrasound scan.

The burden of excluding malrotation in term neonates with bile stained vomiting.

PURPOSE: To determine the number of term infants with bilious vomiting (BV) referred to a neonatal surgical centre for exclusion of malrotation by upper gastrointestinal contrast (UGI) examination. METHODS: Retrospective review of term (>37/40) neonates <28 days of age undergoing UGI for exclusion of malrotation between Jan 2010 and Dec 2014 in a neonatal network with 30,000 term deliveries annually. Only infants with BV in the absence of alternative clinical/radiological diagnosis were included. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six infants met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen (9 %) infants had malrotation diagnosed by UGI and confirmed at laparotomy. Only 1 of 110 infants referred at 0-2 days of age had positive UGI compared to 13 of 56 infants referred after this age (p < 0.01). An increase in referrals followed the death of an infant from midgut volvulus and as a result one in 500 term infants are currently being referred. CONCLUSION: Increasing awareness of the potential consequences of bilious vomiting appears to have resulted in increased referrals with no increase in detection of malrotation. Prospective studies are required to determine whether investigation of all infants with unexplained bilious vomiting is required and if it is possible to select cases for surgical referral.

Isolated gallbladder perforation following blunt abdominal trauma in a six-year-old child.

Isolated perforation of the gallbladder secondary to blunt trauma is rare. Furthermore, only a few cases exist in the infant age group. It has vague symptoms and interpretation of the radiology imaging is challenging. Diagnosis is usually made at operation. We report the case of a six-year-old boy who fell on to the handlebars of his scooter, sustaining an isolated gallbladder perforation. The authors highlight the importance of interpreting the volume of intraperitoneal fluid and early diagnostic laparoscopy.