Prenatal Ultrasound Measurement of Fetal Stomach Size Is Predictive of Postnatal Development of GERD in Isolated Cleft Lip and/or Palate

Objective: To determine whether prenatal ultrasound measurement of fetal stomach size, as a surrogate marker of fetal swallowing, is predictive of postnatal development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in cases of isolated cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). Design: This is a retrospective case-control study. The outcome of interest is postnatal diagnosis of GERD in isolated CL/P. The exposure of interest is prenatal stomach size measurement by ultrasound. Setting: The study population was selected from an academic, tertiary care center between 2003 and 2011. Patients/Participants: Cases were neonates undergoing CL/P repair during the study period. Cases with other known structural or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. Controls were contemporary, nondiabetic neonates that matched gestational age (within one week) to cases. Each case measurement was matched similar to 1:2 with control measurement. Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measure: The primary outcome was difference in mean prenatal ultrasound measurement of fetal stomach size between cases and controls. We hypothesized that patients with postnatal development of GERD would have smaller mean fetal stomach size. Results: There were 32 cases including 19 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate, 8 with unilateral cleft lip, and 4 with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Cases were noted to have smaller mean anterior-posterior and transverse fetal stomach measurements as compared to controls. This was statistically significant from 16 to 21 weeks, 25 to 27 weeks, and 28 to 36 weeks (P < .01 for all). Conclusions: Prenatal ultrasound measurement of fetal stomach size as a surrogate marker of fetal swallowing is predictive of postnatal development of GERD in isolated CL/P.