Echogenic may be defined as having the characteristics of being able to reflect sounds. There are several medical conditions which can be tagged as something echogenic. One of these is the echogenic bowel.

Echogenic bowel is commonly seen among fetus. This is especially detected during an ultrasound wherein the intestinal echo or the brightness appears to be larger than that of the fetal bones.

The development of echogenic bowel is primarily accounted from the presence of obstruction in the digestive tract because of excessive mucous accumulation (such that of cystic fibrosis) and meconium ileus. Chromosomal disorders and viral infections (especially with the cytomegalo virus) also predispose the fetus to echogenic bowel. Just like in any other diseases, early detection is critical in echogenic bowel. Once this condition has been diagnosed, the parents of the affected fetus should undergo genetic counseling so as the possible treatment options can be discussed.