Fetal acute abdomen: literature review and single center experience

We report two low-risk pregnant women at 34 and 35 weeks of gestation who were admitted to the Obstetric Emergency Department due to a sudden reduction of fetal movement. Undergoing obstetric ultrasound, there were suggestive find-ings of bowel ischemia in both cases. An emergency cesarean delivery was performed, both newborns were promptly submitted to laparotomy, and intestinal volvulus was identified. This diagnosis is rarely made antenatally, but ultrasonog-raphy should be used as a powerful tool when there is a mother's perception of reduced fetal movement. We describe the diagnostic modalities and treatment options, along with a current literature review.