Childhood cardiac function after prenatal diagnosis of intracardiac echogenic foci
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Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Joseph R Wax1, Jon Donnelly, Molly Carpenter
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA. waxj@mmc.org
Insights
Prenatally diagnosed intracardiac echogenic foci often persist into childhood but do not indicate cardiac dysfunction. This study found no significant association between these echogenic foci and impaired heart function in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Fetal Echocardiography
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Intracardiac echogenic foci are commonly detected during prenatal ultrasounds.
- The clinical significance and long-term implications of these findings require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between prenatally diagnosed intracardiac echogenic foci and childhood cardiac dysfunction.
- To assess the persistence of intracardiac echogenic foci in children.
Main Methods:
- Children with prenatal intracardiac echogenic foci underwent echocardiography between ages 2-7 years.
- Cardiac function was assessed by a blinded pediatric cardiologist using left ventricular shortening fraction and myocardial performance index.
- Tricuspid and mitral valve regurgitation were evaluated, along with the persistence of the echogenic foci.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between intracardiac echogenic foci and childhood myocardial dysfunction.
- Left ventricular shortening fraction and myocardial performance index were normal in all children.
- Left ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci persisted in 89% of cases, while right ventricular foci persisted in 29%.
Conclusions:
- Prenatally detected intracardiac echogenic foci are frequently persistent.
- These foci are not indicative of myocardial dysfunction in childhood.
Objective:
To determine whether prenatally diagnosed intracardiac echogenic foci are associated with childhood cardiac dysfunction and persistence.
Methods:
Children in whom intracardiac echogenic foci were shown on prenatal sonography at 1 perinatal center underwent echocardiography at ages 2 to 7 years. A single pediatric cardiologist, blinded to the prenatal sonographic intracardiac echogenic focus locations, assessed cardiac function by measuring the left ventricular shortening fraction and myocardial performance index. The presence of tricuspid and mitral valve regurgitation was also sought. The secondary outcome was intracardiac echogenic focus persistence.
Results:
Twenty-five children, 14 (56%) male and 11 (44%) female, were examined at a mean age +/- SD of 3.0 +/- 1.0 years. Prenatally, 18 children (72%) had left ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci, and 7 (28%) had right ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci. The left ventricular shortening fraction was normal in all children. The overall mean left ventricular myocardial performance index (reference value, 0.36 +/- 0.06), was normal for both children with left ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci (0.36 +/- 0.06) and those with right ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci (0.36 +/- 0.04). Two children with left ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci had an isolated left ventricular myocardial performance index of greater than 2.5 SD above the mean. Trace tricuspid valve regurgitation and mitral valve regurgitation were noted in 13 (52%) and 2 (8%) of the children, respectively, similar to the general population. Left ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci persisted in 16 children (89%), whereas right ventricular intracardiac echogenic foci persisted in 2 (29%) (P = .007).
Conclusions:
Prenatally diagnosed intracardiac echogenic foci are often persistent but not associated with childhood myocardial dysfunction.
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