Question

A newborn female infant is born to a 19-year-old G1P0 mother who smokes. On physical exam, the small bowel is eviscerated through an abdominal wall defect to the right of the umbilicus. The small bowel appears matted and dilated. The infant appears to otherwise be healthy. Which of the following would have been expected in prenatal screening? (A) Elevated b-hCG levels (B) Decreased estradiol levels (C) Elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels (D) Oligohydramnios (E) None of the above

Answer 1

Oligohydramnios would have been expected in prenatal screening for this newborn with an abdominal wall defect and fetal distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expected finding in prenatal screening for a newborn female infant with an abdominal wall defect and evidence of fetal distress is oligohydramnios (Choice D).

Oligohydramnios refers to a decreased volume of amniotic fluid, which can be caused by fetal renal abnormalities or impaired fetal swallowing due to gastrointestinal obstruction, as seen in this case. Prenatal screening, such as ultrasound, can identify this condition by measuring the amniotic fluid index (AFI).

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