Punctate Echogenic Focus??!!

Sorry for the long post but this is what I found I hope it helps, I can summarize it in easier terms if you would like me too just send me a pm

echogenic cardiac foci refer to a high number of echoes inside an area (see next section) of an unborn child’s heart. The high number of echoes shows up as bright spots (that resemble a small white pea or pearl) in the heart on an echocardiography. An echocardiography is an imaging technique that uses types of sound waves to produce pictures of the heart. The word “foci” in “echogenic cardiac foci” refers to more than one area in the heart where there are abnormally high numbers of echoes. The word “focus” in “echogenic cardiac focus” refers to a single area in the heart where there are abnormally high numbers of echoes


echogenic cardiac foci are not an unusual or abnormal finding in an echocardiography of the heart. In fact, up to 7.4% of unborn children have echogenic cardiac foci when the mother is in the second trimester (months 3 to 6). The vast majority of children with echogenic cardiac foci are born normal. This is especially the case for the children of mothers who are under 35 years of age. Only rarely are echogenic cardiac foci associated with birth defects.

It has been suggested that the presence of echogenic cardiac foci is associated with a greater risk of the child having down syndrome. Down's syndrome is an abnormality that is present from birth that results in mental impairments and a characteristic physical appearance (small facial features, large tongue that sticks out, a flat back area of the head, and hands that are short and broad).

There is conflicting evidence, however, as to whether echogenic foci in the heart lead to an increased risk for down syndrome. That is, some studies have found that there is no increased risk whereas others have found that unborn children with echogenic cardiac foci are four times more likely to have down syndrome. Many studies suggest that unborn children with echogenic cardiac foci have about a 1% chance of having down syndrome.

It also says that most children are born with this and it is usually resolved on its own before age 5

jess

Thank you diamondsz!!!
That was by far the most in depth and clear explaination of what echogenic cardiac foci are!!! I tried to google it and everything was way too scientific for me.
But from what I gathered from your insert, these tests and concern for the echos are basically precautionary steps to ensure the fetal heart?....
What my concern is, if my baby may have a chance of having down syndrom, since at 9 weeks preg, they never did test for down syndrom. I guess this is something I will just have to wait and see.
Thank you again for the great post.
Cheerios
kittylainy

Thank you diamondsz!!!
That was by far the most in depth and clear explaination of what echogenic cardiac foci are!!! I tried to google it and everything was way too scientific for me.
But from what I gathered from your insert, these tests and concern for the echos are basically precautionary steps to ensure the fetal heart?....
What my concern is, if my baby may have a chance of having down syndrom, since at 9 weeks preg, they never did test for down syndrom. I guess this is something I will just have to wait and see.
Thank you again for the great post.
Cheerios
kittylainy

What they mean kitty is that its normal to see a fetus with echogenic cardiac foci, usually it clears up but when it is still visible in the third trimester they like to keep an eye on it so yes precautionary.

It does not mean your child will have down syndrome it just states that when visible in the third trimester there is a higher possibility of downsyndrome.

Good luck let me know if you need any more info
jess