Question
At 12 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound revealed a fetus with a CRL of about 55mm, showing fetal heartbeat and movement. The fetal abdominal wall echo was interrupted, and the internal organs floated in amniotic fluid. I want to know if it’s still possible to continue the pregnancy if a fetal omphalocele is detected at 31 weeks?
Answer
Omphalocele is a congenital defect in the abdominal wall. This is a rare abnormality characterized by a thick abdominal wall defect near the umbilicus, with internal organs prolapsing through the defect. The incidence of this condition varies by country, but it mostly occurs in low-birth-weight infants. If the prenatal diagnosis is confirmed, the pregnancy can be continued, and the child can undergo surgery immediately after birth to achieve good treatment outcomes.