Echogenic intracardiac focus

This is the name of what they found during the ultrasound exam in my baby's heart. It can higher the risk of your baby having down syndrome or some heart issues.

Of course you can imagine how I cried when the doctor called me because even if he was reassuring me that it was not a big deal because it was the only soft marker on my baby's little body , and because of my age and our family's background.

I could not stop reading Posts on some pregnancy website and other woman's experiences. I am just trying to stop worrying and pray to God that everything will be OK.

I found the Post below on Wikipedia and decided to share it with you as it helped me to calm myself down and stop worrying so much.

Good luck to if you are going through the same thing.

XOXO

Sarah

Echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) is a small bright spot seen in the baby’s heart on an ultrasound exam. This is thought to represent mineralization, or small deposits of calcium, in the muscle of the heart. EIFs are found in about 3-5% of normal pregnancies and cause no health problems.

EIFs themselves have no impact on health or heart function. Often the EIF is gone

A clue to chromosome problems

An EIF is one clue, which contribute to the chances of finding a chromosome problem. Generally the risks are low if there are no other risk factors. Many babies with chromosome problems do not show any signs on ultrasound. Other factors are discussed in counseling include:

• Mother's age at the expected date of delivery
• The results of the Expanded AFP blood triple test
• Evidence of other "fetal findings" seen at on the ultrasound that suggest a chromosome problem.

by the third trimester. If there are no problems or chromosome abnormalities, EIFs are considered normal changes, or variants.

Researchers have noted an association between an EIF and a chromosome problem in the baby.^[1] Types of chromosome problems that are occasionally seen include Trisomy 18 (Edward's syndrome) orTrisomy 21 (Down syndrome). In the case of an isolated EIF, and no other ultrasound findings, some studies show that the risk for a chromosome abnormality is approximately two times a woman’s background risk. Other studies report up to a 1% risk for Down syndrome when an EIF is seen on a second trimester fetal ultrasound exam.

Summary

An EIF in the fetal heart may increase the chance for the baby to have a chromosome problem. It does not affect the development of the baby or the function of the heart. If the baby has normal chromosomes, there would be no associated problems to be concerned about. No special treatment or tests are needed at delivery.

It is important to remember that chances are strongly in your favor of a normal outcome in this pregnancy, but with this additional clue, you are entitled to further counseling and testing options.