Postnatal outcomes of fetuses with isolated gallbladder anomalies: be aware of biliary atresia

Abstract

Objectives

To analyze the normal development of fetal gallbladder (GB) and evaluate the postnatal outcomes of fetuses with isolated GB anomalies without other structural abnormalities by ultrasound.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. We collected normal cases during 2016 between 15 and 40 gestational weeks and measured the length and width of GB to establish a normal reference range of GB. Using the 10th and 90th percentiles of the normal reference range, isolated cases of enlarged or small GB without other structural anomalies were selected between January 2017 and December 2019. Simultaneously, cases of echogenic material in the GB were included. Fetuses with non-visualization of the fetal gallbladder (NVFGB) were collected between January 2010 and December 2019. Postnatal outcomes of these cases were followed up and analyzed.

Results

There were 670 cases in the normal group and a linear correlation was found between the dimensions of GB and the gestational age, including the length (r = 0.69; p < .05; y = 0.97 + 0.70 × gestational age) and width (r = 0.48; p < .05; y = 1.65 + 0.12 × gestational age). Sixty-two cases with isolated GB anomalies were collected, including nine cases of enlarged GB, four cases of small GB, three cases of echogenic material in the GB, and 46 cases of NVFGB. Sixty fetuses (96.8%, 60/62) had good outcomes, except that two neonates (4%, 2/50) in small GB and NVFGB groups were both born with BA. In the NVFGB group, 97.8% (45/46) were with good outcomes, in which gallbladders were finally visualized in 37 (80.4%, 37/46) cases and GB agenesis was postnatally diagnosed in eight (17.4%, 8/46) patients by ultrasound.

Conclusion

The postnatal outcomes of most fetuses (96.8%) with isolated GB anomalies such as enlarged GB, echogenic material in the GB were favorable. When it comes to cases of small GB or NVFGB in prenatal ultrasound diagnosis, we should alert biliary atresia in prenatal counseling.

Keywords:

• isolated gallbladder anomalies
• non-visualization of fetal gallbladder
• small gallbladder
• biliary atresia
• prenatal ultrasound
• postnatal outcomes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81571687], and the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province, China [2017A020214013], and the Youth Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China [81801705].