Pediatric gastroenterologists in Dallas

Our team strives to deliver prompt and thorough care for your baby's gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

At Fetal Care Center, we work closely with you to accurately diagnose and treat all types of fetal GI concerns that can occur during pregnancy. These may include fetal ovarian cysts and lesions in the abdomen.

Fetal GI conditions we treat

Our specialized fetal care team offers comprehensive services for a variety of conditions affecting the GI tract, including:

  • Choledochal cyst
  • Colonic atresia
  • Cystic lesions of the abdomen
  • Duodenal atresia and stenosis
  • Hirschsprung’s disease
  • Imperforate anus
  • Intra-abdominal calcifications, all types
  • Jejunoileal atresia and stenosis
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Pyloric atresia and stenosis

Children's digestive health services

If you experience GI distress during pregnancy, please speak with your obstetrician. These issues are not always linked to problems with your baby, but our doctors can help rule anything out.

Fetal GI tract treatment and services

Your baby’s gastrointestinal tract begins developing as early as the third week of gestation. During week four, this organ develops into three regions — the fore-, mid- and hind-gut — and extends the length of the embryo, ultimately becoming the GI tract.

While most GI issues during pregnancy are not cause for concern, symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain or flu-like feelings may actually be ectopic GI symptoms. Please reach out to your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.

Duodenal atresia

Located in the small intestine, the duodenum is adjacent to the stomach and connected to the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. If the bowel does not develop normally while your baby is in utero, it can cause a blockage of the duodenum. This is known as a duodenal atresia, and it is a rare congenital digestive disorder that typically occurs only sporadically. Occasionally, duodenal atresia may be due to an autosomal recessive genetic trait.

This blockage can cause newborns to vomit starting a few hours after birth. While the condition can be difficult to diagnose, our doctors will typically look for a dilated stomach on an ultrasound. If your baby has excess fluid in the amniotic sac, it could be a sign of duodenal atresia. Diagnosis while in utero or soon after birth can be helpful, allowing your baby’s care team to plan for early surgery after delivery.

If your baby has a duodenal atresia contributing to excess amniotic fluid levels, you may be at risk for preterm delivery, and your doctor may want to induce an earlier delivery. After birth, a baby with duodenal atresia may need surgery to remove the bowel obstruction and encourage normal digestive tract functions.

Echogenic bowel masses

Also known as intra-abdominal calcifications, echogenic bowel masses are defined by the intestines appearing brighter than normal on a sonogram. If an echogenic bowel mass appears in the second trimester, our team can conduct further diagnostics to determine it’s a true echogenic mass. If the mass is found in the third trimester, it’s typically meconium in the colon.

Some causes of echogenic bowel masses include chromosomal abnormalities, cystic fibrosis, fetal infection and intra-amniotic bleeding. They can also be caused by abnormal bowel movement or obstruction, as well as a fetal growth restriction.

More information about the possible genetic causes for your baby’s echogenic bowel masses can be gathered from genetic testing, amniocentesis, a review of maternal health history and maternal blood work.

Ovarian cysts in fetuses

Ovarian cysts are an extremely common type of abdominal cyst in a female fetus, but they can sometimes be mistaken for other types of cysts. When a fluid-filled sac on a baby’s ovaries is more than two centimeters in size, it is classified as a fetal ovarian cyst. Your doctor will need to get a complete picture of the cyst via ultrasound to correctly diagnose and treat the condition.

Fetal ovarian cysts are not genetic and tend to develop in the third trimester. They are thought to be caused by exposure to elevated hormone levels. Fortunately, malignant ovarian neoplasms are rare in fetuses, and most ovarian cysts in fetuses resolve on their own.

An ovarian cyst can also block the bowel, which can affect the baby’s ability to swallow in utero, and cause extra amniotic fluid around them. In that instance, or if the cyst has a diameter greater than five centimeters and doesn’t change in size, surgery will likely be required after birth. If the cyst is less than five centimeters in diameter, your doctor will continue to observe it through periodic ultrasounds. It may regress on its own without surgical intervention.

If postnatal surgery is needed, due to torsion, twisting or hemorrhaging, your doctor will aim to preserve the baby’s ovaries.

Pyloric stenosis

The pylorus is a muscular valve between the stomach and small intestine. Pyloric stenosis means this muscle has thickened and become enlarged, blocking food from entering the infant’s small intestine. A baby with this rare, post-birth condition can experience forceful vomiting, dehydration, lack of weight gain, weight loss, constipation, persistent hunger or waves of stomach contractions after eating. This is a condition that needs immediate attention to avoid possible dehydration. It will most likely require surgery to relieve the blockage. While the cause of this condition is unknown, it can occur due to genetic or environmental factors.

Pyloric stenosis is typically diagnosed by a radiograph or abdominal ultrasound, where your baby’s doctor will check for an olive-sized abdominal lump. Surgery, called a pyloromyotomy, can be done laparoscopically to minimize scarring, potential infections and recovery time. After surgery, most babies are able to quickly return to normal feedings.