ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026
Non-visualization of the fetal gallbladder with ultrasound in the second trimester in a Chinese cohort: prognosis and clinical consultation.
Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundTo investigate the prenatal characteristics and clinical outcomes of fetuses with non-visualization of the fetal gallbladder (NVFGB) with ultrasound during the second trimester and to promote prenatal consultations based on data from the Chinese population.
methodsWomen who underwent a standard anatomic scan in second-trimester and were suspected of having NVFGB at our center between January 2017 and February 2022 were included in this study. NVFGB was defined as the non-visualization of the gallbladder on two dedicated ultrasound scans conducted within one week. Each enrolled fetus underwent at least two follow-up ultrasound examinations during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Comprehensive clinical data were documented, encompassing prenatal ultrasound records, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and chromosomal examinations/genetic test results. Neonatal ultrasound assessments were performed within the first month of birth. Surviving neonates were followed up for a minimum of 6 months postpartum. High-frequency ultrasound examinations or autopsies were performed to ascertain the presence of gallbladders in the miscarried or stillborn fetuses.
resultsAmong 252 cases with NVFGB who met the inclusion criteria, 152 (60.32%) were isolated, and 100 (39.68%) exhibited additional structural abnormalities. Definite fetal chromosomal anomalies were detected in 10 cases. Normal gallbladders were visualized later in pregnancy and postnatally in 81.74% of the cases. The incidence rates were 1.98% and 0.79% for biliary atresia (BA) and cystic fibrosis, respectively, with an absence of 11.91%. In cases of postnatally confirmed gallbladder absence cases, commonly associated anomalies included central nervous system anomalies, anal atresia, a single umbilical artery, congenital heart disease, and renal abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging did not enhance gallbladder detection compared to ultrasound.
conclusionsMost cases of isolated NVFGB in the second trimester have good prognosis. Molecular diagnosis and scanning of combined malformations are helpful for the diagnosis of BA, CF, and genetic syndromes. Providing comprehensive prognostic information to parents and conducting a detailed fetal re-evaluation can alleviate parental anxiety and prevent unwarranted pregnancy termination.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.