Significance of echogenic foci in the left ventricle of the fetal heart in a low-risk population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there exists a significant association between prenatally detected left ventricular echogenic foci and chromosomal abnormalities.


METHODS
Over a 10-month period the presence of intracardiac echogenic foci was recorded on all low-risk patients referred for anatomical assessment. The study group consisted of 113 singleton fetuses and was compared to a control group with no foci.


RESULTS
Among the study group with echogenic foci, 5 chromosomal abnormalities (three trisomies) were detected. In the control group only one chromosomal abnormality was diagnosed.


CONCLUSIONS
An association exists between the finding of intracardiac echogenic foci in the fetus and the presence of chromosomal abnormalities.
Jaffe
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Ultrasound, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. jafferi@hermes.cpmc.columbia.edu
Cherot
E
E
Allen
T
T
Glantz
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014314:Trisomy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal