Prenatal predictors of newborn intestinal obstruction

Neonatal Intestinal Obstruction: A Retrospective Observational Study on Prenatal Prognostic Factors and Postnatal Outcomes

Observational Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS · NCT07434596

This study will try to see if certain prenatal ultrasound signs—especially a specific amount of fetal bowel dilation—can predict which babies will have intestinal obstruction after birth.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages0 Days to 28 Days
SexAll
SponsorMeyer Children's Hospital IRCCS Academic / other
Locations1 site (Florence, Florence)
Trial IDNCT07434596 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This retrospective observational study reviews records of newborns at Meyer Children's Hospital who had prenatal ultrasound findings suggestive of intestinal obstruction and available postnatal follow-up. Investigators will compare prenatal ultrasound features—particularly measured fetal bowel dilation but also polyhydramnios, ascites, echogenic bowel, and other abdominal findings—with confirmed postnatal diagnoses of intestinal obstruction. The primary aim is to identify a specific cutoff value for fetal bowel dilation that best predicts true obstruction after birth. Inclusion requires singleton pregnancies with complete prenatal and postnatal data, while cases with missing delivery or ultrasound information are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Newborns from singleton pregnancies who had prenatal ultrasound suspicion of intestinal obstruction and complete postnatal follow-up at Meyer Children's Hospital are the intended group for this analysis.

Not a fit: Infants from multiple pregnancies, those without prenatal suspicion, or cases with missing prenatal or delivery data would not be represented and are unlikely to benefit from the study's findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians could more accurately predict which pregnancies will result in newborn intestinal obstruction, improving counseling and perinatal surgical planning.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have reported links between some prenatal ultrasound signs and neonatal intestinal obstruction, but findings have been mixed and a definitive bowel-dilation cutoff has not been universally established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Neonates from singleton pregnancies with prenatal ultrasound suspicion of intestinal obstructive pathology
* Availability of complete postnatal follow-up data

Exclusion Criteria:

* Missing delivery data
* Missing prenatal ultrasound data

Where this trial is running

Florence, Florence

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Intestinal Obstruction
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.