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Published on: June 28, 2010
Echogenic foci in fetal heart from a pediatric cardiologists point of view
Insights
Echogenic foci in the fetal heart are common, appearing in 3% of fetuses. These findings are typically insignificant and do not pose serious risks to the fetus or child.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Echogenic foci in the fetal heart are a common finding during prenatal ultrasound.
- The clinical significance and prognostic implications of these foci require thorough evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and significance of echogenic foci in the fetal heart.
- To assess the prognosis for fetuses and children with detected echogenic foci.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed data from 27,633 fetuses examined between 2008 and 2017.
- Fetal echocardiography was performed in the second trimester, with identification and follow-up of echogenic foci by a pediatric cardiologist.
Main Results:
- Isolated cardiac hyperechogenic foci were identified in 3% of fetuses.
- The left ventricle, particularly the mitral valve apparatus, was the most common location (93%).
- Concomitant pathologies and genetic abnormalities were rare in fetuses with echogenic foci.
Conclusions:
- Echogenic foci in the fetal heart are a relatively common finding.
- These foci are generally insignificant and do not lead to serious adverse outcomes for the fetus or child.
Objectives:
To evaluate the occurrence and the significance of echogenic foci in the fetal heart and to assess the prognosis of the fetus and child.
Setting:
Department of Pediatrics and Prenatal Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Ostrava.
Design:
Original article.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted between 2008-2017. Fetal echocardiography was performed in the second trimester of pregnancy in the study population. The identification of echogenic heart foci, and their follow up during and after the pregnancy were performed by a pediatric cardiologist.
Results:
In the monitored period, a total of 27,633 fetuses were examined. Isolated cardiac hyperechogenic foci were detected in 3% (829/27,633) of the fetuses. The foci was found in 93%, 5%, and 2% in the left ventricle, mainly in valvular apparatus of the mitral valve, in the both ventricles, and in the right ventricle, respectively. In 1% (11/829) of the fetuses with cardiac echogenic foci, the others concomitant pathologies (tricuspid regurgitation, extrasystoles, renal pathology) were found. No genetic abnormalities were detected in the fetuses with cardiac hyperechogenic foci.
Conclusion:
The echogenic focus in fetal heart is a relatively common, mostly insignificant finding, with any serious consequences for the fetus and the child.
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