Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases

Barış Boza; Kübra Kurt Bilirer; Hamdullah Pekkolay; Tuğçe Arslanoğlu

Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate prenatal ultrasonographic findings, diagnostic distribution, and pregnancy outcomes in fetuses diagnosed with cloacal anomalies and to correlate imaging features with disease severity and prognosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 21 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with cloacal anomalies at a tertiary referral center. Maternal demographics, gestational age at diagnosis, prenatal ultrasonographic features, genetic testing results, associated anomalies, and pregnancy outcomes were reviewed. Cloacal anomalies were classified as persistent cloaca, cloacal dysgenesis, cloacal exstrophy, omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal (OEIS) defects complex, or exstrophy-epispadias complex (EEC). Results: The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 24.7 (±5.17) weeks. Persistent cloaca was the most common diagnosis (42.8%), followed by cloacal exstrophy (28.6%), cloacal dysgenesis (14.3%), OEIS defects complex complex (9.5%), and EEC (4.8%). The most frequent prenatal ultrasonographic findings were pyelectasis/hydronephrosis, a lower abdominal cystic mass, and absence of the anal dimple. Cloacal dysgenesis was associated with severe urinary tract obstruction, characterized by oligohydramnios, megacystis, and bilateral hydronephrosis. Termination of pregnancy was performed in 57.1% of cases, while 23.9% survived postoperatively and 19.0% resulted in postnatal death. Conclusion: Prenatal ultrasonography plays a crucial role in identifying cloacal anomalies. Recognition of specific imaging patterns is essential for differentiating cloacal dysgenesis from other cloacal malformations, as severity strongly correlates with prognosis and pregnancy outcome.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Barış Boza ^*
0000-0002-3831-3745
Türkiye

Kübra Kurt Bilirer
0000-0001-8204-2375
Türkiye

Hamdullah Pekkolay
0000-0002-9574-826X
Türkiye

Tuğçe Arslanoğlu
0000-0003-1755-1274
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 19, 2026

Submission Date

March 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Boza, B., Kurt Bilirer, K., Pekkolay, H., & Arslanoğlu, T. (2026). Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(3), 786-792. https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS

AMA

1.Boza B, Kurt Bilirer K, Pekkolay H, Arslanoğlu T. Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(3):786-792. https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS

Chicago

Boza, Barış, Kübra Kurt Bilirer, Hamdullah Pekkolay, and Tuğçe Arslanoğlu. 2026. “Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcomes of Cloacal Anomalies: A Retrospective Analysis of 21 Cases”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (3): 786-92. https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS.

EndNote

Boza B, Kurt Bilirer K, Pekkolay H, Arslanoğlu T (May 1, 2026) Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 3 786–792.

IEEE

[1]B. Boza, K. Kurt Bilirer, H. Pekkolay, and T. Arslanoğlu, “Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 786–792, May 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS

ISNAD

Boza, Barış - Kurt Bilirer, Kübra - Pekkolay, Hamdullah - Arslanoğlu, Tuğçe. “Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcomes of Cloacal Anomalies: A Retrospective Analysis of 21 Cases”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/3 (May 1, 2026): 786-792. https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS.

JAMA

1.Boza B, Kurt Bilirer K, Pekkolay H, Arslanoğlu T. Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:786–792.

MLA

Boza, Barış, et al. “Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcomes of Cloacal Anomalies: A Retrospective Analysis of 21 Cases”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 3, May 2026, pp. 786-92, https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS.

Vancouver

1.Barış Boza, Kübra Kurt Bilirer, Hamdullah Pekkolay, Tuğçe Arslanoğlu. Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of cloacal anomalies: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases. J Health Sci Med / JHSM [Internet]. 2026 May 1;9(3):786-92. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA39FP76XS