Premium
Fetal megacystis: Institutional experience and outcomes
Author(s) -
Taghavi Kiarash,
Sharpe Caitlin,
Stringer Mark D.,
Zuccollo Jane,
Marlow Jay
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/ajo.12655
Subject(s) - fetus , obstetrics , medicine , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Background Fetal megacystis is a sonographic feature that may be indicative of several underlying pathologies. Despite advances in diagnosis and management, the overall prognosis of affected fetuses remains poor and about 50% of such pregnancies are terminated. Aims To define the frequency, management, survival and renal outcomes of fetal megacystis over nine years at Wellington Hospital, New Zealand. Materials and Methods A nine‐year retrospective review of fetuses with an antenatal diagnosis of megacystis was undertaken. Results Sixteen cases were identified (nine live births, five terminations and two perinatal deaths). This gives an observed frequency of one per 940 fetuses scanned. Two‐thirds of the live births have survived and been followed for a mean of 5.3 years. None have required renal dialysis or transplantation to date. Conclusions The current series contributes to our knowledge of fetal megacystis and helps to inform antenatal counselling. Improved prognostic criteria are urgently required to accurately differentiate between fetuses with favourable versus poor outcomes.