That means that 99/100 babies with this finding will not have Down syndrome. He also said that the echogenic focus will go away either before or after birth. But echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) is almost never something to worry about. ElF is considered a normal variation in fetal development and has not been found to cause any long-term health problems or heart problems for the baby. But echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) is almost never something to worry about. In radiology, there are many machines and devices used to scan the human body to help with diagnoses and treatments. Well also check the mothers risk for chromosomal abnormalities through blood tests or other screenings. An EIF is not a birth defect, and does not cause any long term health problems for the baby. Our doctor sent us to get a fetal echocardiogram where the doctor pretty much said that its just a calcium build up and using this as a marker for Down syndrome was years and years ago and there is barely any correlation unless the baby has other significant markers. Combined with another marker or a screening test that suggests a high risk of chromosome concerns, the marker might indicate a higher risk for that condition. The symptoms on the ultrasound are small head circumference (measuring 8th percentile), echogenic intracardiac focus and two very small benign echogenic foci on the liver. Evidence of other "fetal findings" seen on the ultrasound that suggest a chromosome problem. Found in 2% of normal fetuses. Sometimes, one or more small bright spots are seen in the heart. EIF occurs in as many as 5 percent of all pregnancies. For others, I dont say anything at all. So this really is just causing me a lot of stress. . A few days later I get a call from my OB saying that baby is growing appropriate and everything looked great BUT there was a white spot found in his heart called Echogenic Intracardiac Focus. You need to ask your doctor who probably has already discussed the significance with the radiologist. Most EIF seen in the middle of the pregnancy will not go away before delivery. Amniocentesis is a test to check a baby's chromosomes. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. The exam looks at the four chambers of the fetal heart; the right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle. 1. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. New Patient Appointment, Appointment Application of Copy Number Variation Detection to Fetal Diagnosis of Echogenic Intracardiac Focus During Pregnancy. Look up EIF on this apptons of people with the same and the absolute majority have had zero issues and healthy babies. I would like to know if anyone has got EIT before and Im really worried as a first time mom, dr said its nothing to worry about, that its common and goes away. Its rarely the case, most babies with an echogenic focus turn out to be perfectly fine with no diseases or malformation. I had an amnio done same day and 48 hours later the FISH results were back and negative for all trisomies and triploidy. Carrio A, Matias A, Areias JC. Echogenic Focus (EIF): Definition, Causes, Treatment - Verywell Family Copyright Rachel Rodgers Design 2021. Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. 2004;23 (7): 895-8. If you ask me whats my favorite book to recommend to pregnant women? That means that 99/100 babies with this finding will not have Down syndrome. 13 It is a common finding in the population, visible in three to five per cent of normal fetuses. Thank you weve definitely got this! The good news is that most of these cases disappear by the second half of the third trimester and have no consequences on the babys health and well-being. The overall prevalence of Down syndrome in our study population was 1.6%. Similar to choroid plexus cysts, this marker might indicate a chromosomal condition if paired with other worries on the ultrasound or an increased risk for Down syndrome or trisomy 13 on a prenatal screen. What this means is that from the patients perspective, the heart is located on his left side and so its considered to be a left-sided organ by physicians. A single umbilical artery is associated with a higher risk that the baby might have a problem with other organ systems such as the heart and kidneys. We recommend a third-trimester ultrasound examination to evaluate growth and consideration of weekly antenatal fetal surveillance beginning at 36 0/7 weeks of gestation (GRADE 1C); (12) for fetuses with isolated urinary tract dilation A1, we recommend an ultrasound examination at 32 weeks of gestation to determine if postnatal pediatric urology This bright spot is due to a bit of calcium in one of the muscles that attaches to the heart valve. Thanks. 21 (4): 354-8. chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). EIFs are found in about 3-5% of normal pregnancies and cause no health problems.") My doctor didnt seem to be too worried, since it's the only soft marker for DS they were able to see. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. These terms can sound scary. Fetuses with an echogenic intracardiac focus have a significantly increased risk of Down syndrome. Due tothe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we are implementingtemporary measures to ensure patient safety. Poorly Controlled seizure unusual presentation of long QT sydrome. For most women, I mention that the finding will appear on the final ultrasound report since patients can see all of their results in our electronic medical record. I did go ahead and get the NIPT testing done, and everything came back low risk today . No special treatment or tests are needed at delivery. The anatomy scan went well until they found an isolated EIF on left ventricle. Usually, when an echogenic genic focus is seen on ultrasound; its not a big deal. thank you-Im trying to ignore it, but my anxiety is trying to get the best of me! A spot thats not supposed to be there. thank you! EIF a sonographic finding consisting of a bright echogenic area in the heart of fetus with a brightness similar to a bone 1 that moves synchronically towards atrioventricular valves. According to the MFM doc I saw, it is used as a marker for Down syndrome but only if a number of other signs are also noticed (small size, missing nasal bone, etc). I didnt ask her much questions because I was in shock but I am reading on it now and I think its the NIPT, I will ask more questions when I speak to the Genetics specialist. Echogenic intracardiac focus. Accessibility Just got back from my specialist ultrasound and everything is 100% normal. Ultrasound should an Echogenic intracardiac focus. Anyone else If you shoot X-ray beams at the mothers uterus, the fetus will be vulnerable and the consequences are rather dire; ranging from simple harmless DNA mutations to complete malformations of the newborn. An echogenic intracardiac focus (EICF) is a small white spot that may be seen on your baby's heart during one of your routine ultrasounds. Echogenic intracardiac focus is an ultrasound finding that is most commonly seen during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure available until about 22 weeks of pregnancy for prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Learn more about, Learn About What to Expect's Pregnancy & Baby App. Find a Location, Appointment Skip to Site Navigation Mumbai. Im so glad i found this post ! Tissue harmonic imaging should be turned off when evaluating a potential EIF, to avoid false positives. Echogenic Intracardiac Focus-Anatomy Scan ( EIF ) Hey mamas!! It is possible that calcium deposits in the muscle wall of the ventricles may cause these spots. intracardiac echogenic foci,karyotype analyses revealed trisomy 21in14(2%)fetuses.The sonographically identifiable intracardiac echo-genic focimeasured 1-2mm indiameter. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. The team at University of Colorado OB-GYN. Echogenic intracardiac focus was originally described as a normal variant and has been demonstrated to be micro-calcifications within the papillary muscle. 89 (6): 945-8. Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators: Connect with our community members by starting a discussion. Its a classic bestseller book with over 18 million copies sold. The cause of EIF is unknown, but the condition is generally harmless. Isolated EIF and negative NIPT - Echogenic Intracardiac Focus | Forums Among the 1334 patients in the study group, 66 fetuses (4.9%) had an echogenic intracardiac focus. This bright spot, which is usually seen in the ventricle of the heart, is referred to as an echogenic intracardiac focus. I guess this is a soft marker for downs syndrome but since there is only this marker, everything else on the scan was perfect, and I'm low risk, its unlikely that this means my baby has downs. Anyone else experience this before ? Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. Echogenic intracardiac focus: a sonographic sign for fetal Down Echogenic intracardiac focus March 5, 2021 March 5, 2021 dianaduartenguyen Birth Month Groups I had my 20 week ultrasound on 3/1/2021 I had a hunch there was something up when the tech told me she needed to take a few more pictures of the heart and some other parts after more than 30 mins into the appointment. When an echogenic intracardiac focus is identified in an otherwise normal second trimester fetus, a normal cell-free DNA test can be very reassuring and obviate the need for invasive testing. I explain what it means and why they shouldnt worry. However, it can be seen in any pregnancy, regardless of race. Well continue with a little lecture on radiology, but dont let the word lecture spook you out., it will all make sense by the end, I promise.
