To investigate the ultrasound image characteristics and their clinical diagnostic value in fetal abdominal wall defects in early pregnancy.

A total of 77 cases of fetal abdominal wall defects diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and confirmed by postnatal pathological examination at Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were collected. A comparative analysis was conducted between the ultrasound images and postnatal pathological examination results.

Among the 77 cases of fetal abdominal wall defects in early pregnancy included, 47 were diagnosed with omphalocele. Ultrasound revealed the protrusion of fetal abdominal organs from the umbilical region, covered by a membrane, with the umbilical cord attached to the top of the mass. There were 19 cases of gastroschisis, where ultrasound showed fetal abdominal organs in the amniotic fluid without a covering membrane, and the majority of abdominal wall defects were located on the right side of the umbilical region. Additionally, there were 7 cases of body stalk anomaly, characterized by abdominal (or thoracoabdominal) wall defects accompanied by major abdominal wall defect and mass, scoliosis, limb deformity, and short umbilical cord. Furthermore, 3 cases of amniotic band syndrome were identified, displaying a floating band adhering to the fetus in the amniotic fluid, with associated limb deformity and abdominal wall defect. One case of cloacal exstrophy was observed, showing omphalocele, scoliosis, and non-visualization of the bladder. Two cases of omphalocele were missed. The ultrasonic diagnostic rate of fetal abdominal wall defects in this group of patients was 97.4% (75/77).

The ultrasound images of fetal abdominal wall defects in the first trimester seem simple, appearing as abdominal wall defect and mass. However, these defects may involve multiple organ malformations. First trimester ultrasound has high diagnostic value in detecting these abnormalities.