Fetal Medicine Specialist

[Anonymous]

I was thinking, I went to a Fetal Medicine specialist during my entire pregnancy (I elected to do so since my insurance covered it, my Dr. didnt say I had to), he did all kinds of testing. They looked at her organs and make sure everything is growing properly and has no abnormalities, etc… I was told everything was perfect. However, I am wondering if they may have missed something. Should they have been able to see if she had any GI abnormalities? My LO has had acid reflux since birth and severe protein allergies. Should they have been able to see if something was wrong? ChristineLE242008-06-02 10:35:21

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t think so. I would imagine they were looking for structural abnormalities where an immature LES would be considered normal, and I don’t think there is any test to see intolerance. You have to keep in mind, there is no “food” passing through the baby’s stomach and intestines before they are born and actually feeding, so I don’t know how they would have been able to tell?

have you called them and asked?

[Anonymous]

I was more wondering about the esophagus (sp?), I know they took pics and measurements of all the organs and I was wondering if maybe it would’ve shown an abnormality (like the valve or something?). I havent called them because I am sure they will just put me on the back burner since I am not an actual patient any longer. But, being that sometimes x-rays show abnormalities then I would assume that an ultrasound would as well, but maybe not?

I was trying to find something online but I don’t see anything that would help with the answer to my question.

Cause instead of having my LO go through all kinds of tests I was thinking maybe with those pics they can see something that can help. Maybe I will call or just go by there. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

The problem with “seeing” a lot of the internal organs is that they don’t show up well on x-ray or with ultrasound. Especially the intestines, b/c of what they are made of. Which is why they use barium for the upper GI x-ray. Dyes are also used to “see” many of the organs and tissues. So unless the ultrasounds or x-rays that you had while pregnant included dyes or bariums given somehow to the fetus, there isn’t really any way to see things like esophagus or intestines.

[Anonymous]

Hey Kristin,

But there aren’t any “abnormalities” if you have reflux, are there? I mean, if there was a pyloric stenosis, or obstructed bowel, or something , they could see that, but they couldn’t see that the baby might have reflux, could they?

Maybe I am misunderstanding……..

[Anonymous]

I don’t know, I was thinking maybe they could see something with the valve? I spoke to my Aunt, who is a nurse, and she said that they wouldnt be able to tell for the same reasons that Ann Marie & Kristin said. I was just hoping, so maybe my LO didnt have to go through more testing but, if more testing is what is going to make her better then that is what I will do.

Thanks for your answers.

[Author]

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