What is echogenic focus in fetus left ventricle, found on level 2 ultrasound during 19 weeks pregnancy? Is anything serious?

Dr. Sudhir PudiRadiologist18yrs exp

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While scanning the foetus your doctor will look for major structural abnormalities such as hole in the heart, missing stomach, missing kidneys, major brain defects etc. These are structural abnormalities. Sometimes there are no structural abnormalities but only chromosomal abnormalities such as downs syndrome. These abnormalities manifest themselves as 'Soft markers'. these are 1. Thickening of neck soft tissues, echogenic focus in heart, Choroid plexus cysts, Echogenic bowels, Kidney dilatation, Short bones, and 2vessels in umbilical cord. Although not pathologic themselves, these markers have been used to screen for, or adjust the risk for, Down syndrome and other aneuploidies. Soft markers may be seen in the normal fetus but have an increased incidence in infants with chromosomal abnormalities. These markers are nonspecific, often transient, and can be readily detected during the second-trimester ultrasound. Thus, prenatal ultrasonography during the second trimester provides a ?genetic sonogram? that is used to identify morphologic features of fetal Down syndrome. Once one of these soft markers is detected your doctor should screen for the rest. A single soft marker does not usually result in any problems with foetus. 

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Dr. Monika GaurRadiologist2yrs exp

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Its a soft marker for chromosomal anomalies! Nothing much serious if other body parts are ok.  

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