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hopefullone · 01-04-2008, 01:23 PM

Hi Ladies!!! I hope everyone is doing well!!! I have a question about Echogenic Foci.

I had an ultrasound at about 18 weeks and the tech found a bright spot on the baby's heart-called an Echogenic Foci. She said its a very soft marker for Downs and sometimes they wonder if they should even mention it, but do "just to be safe". It does not effect the function or formation of the heart in any way. Anyway, they sent me to a specialist for another ultrasound and its still there (I'm about 20 weeks now). The doctor there basically said the same thing and offered an amnio for a "yes or no" answer, which I declined to have. My age is not a risk factor and the rest of the ultrasound was fine. Everything is forming properly, no heart defects, facial defects or birth defects noted and no other markers for Downs. Yet I'm still freaking out!!!!!!! I've found some articles which say about 5% of the population has them, and some other articles saying they find them in about 1 in 5 (20%) of 2nd trimester ultrasounds. But it is even more common in Downs babies.

Has anyone had a similar experience??

vigette · 01-05-2008, 12:45 PM

My sisters.. SIL had that. They saw a white spot on the baby's heart. They told her it culd be a marker also. She declined the amnio and she has a perfectly healthy 1 1/2 year old.

Good Luck!!!!!!!

junemommy17 · 01-05-2008, 01:57 PM

I had a Level II ultrasound with a specialist when I was 18 weeks. They found fluid on the baby's kidneys and told me this was a soft marker for DS. I'm 36 so my age is a factor. I also declined to have an amnio. I'm now 34 weeks and feel better about the situation but I still don't know if this baby has DS or not. From what I have read about using ultrasounds and soft markers to detect DS is that it is very controversial.

hopefullone · 01-05-2008, 06:49 PM

Thank you for your replies!!!!!

Vigette-I'm so happy to hear your sister's SIL has a healthy baby

Junemommy-At my first U/S there was no mention of anything on the kidneys. however at the most recent one the tech said there was some fluid there that was measuring slightly out of normal range, but said it probably wasn't a problem since the kidneys are transient and fluid fills and empties from them rapidly. In fact, when the doctor came in to look at the U/S about 10 minutes later, the level of fluid was back into the normal range. Maybe they caught the kidneys when they were at their more full stage.
I too have heard that soft markers are controversial but it is still something that weighs on my mind, however my husband and I decided that the risk of an amnio, no matter how "little" the risk is, was not a risk we were willing to take. Wishing you luck and please keep me updated. I'm praying and wishing the best for you and your little one

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