How dangerous is this 2nd-trimester U/S finding?
Some say left ventricular intracardiac echogenic focus (ICEF) in the second trimester may signal the presence of Down syndrome.
Some say left ventricular intracardiac echogenic focus (ICEF) in the second trimester may signal the presence of Down syndrome. Others believe you can ignore it in an otherwise healthy normal fetal heart. Starting out with 62 cases of ICEF among patients who also had a triple marker screen performed, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that none of the cases with a negative triple screen and no other cardiac abnormalities (58/62 or 93.5%) had trisomy 21. Put another way, you can probably tell patients with isolated ICEF on a 2nd-trimester U/S, plus a negative triple screen, that the risk of Down syndrome is "not increased above their age-related risk."
Kemp A, Colon M. The significance of a fetal intracardiac echogenic focus in the face of normal triple-marker testing. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;105(4 suppl):52S.
Early preterm birth risk linked to low PlGF levels during pregnancy screening
November 20th 2024New research highlights that low levels of placental growth factor during mid-pregnancy screening can effectively predict early preterm birth, offering a potential tool to enhance maternal and infant health outcomes.
Read More
Major congenital malformations not linked to first trimester tetracycline use
November 20th 2024A large population-based study found that first-trimester tetracycline exposure does not elevate the risk of major congenital malformations, though specific risks for nervous system and eye anomalies warrant further research.
Read More
No link found between prenatal cannabis use and childhood developmental delay
November 5th 2024In a recent study, offspring of women with cannabis use in early pregnancy confirmed by self-report or toxicology test were not at an increased risk of childhood early developmental delay up to the age of 5.5 years.
Read More
Prenatal cannabis use not linked to offspring ASD development
November 1st 2024In a recent study, adjustments for maternal characteristics mediated the association between maternal prenatal cannabis use and offspring autism spectrum disorder, indicating no statistically significant increase in risk.
Read More
Importance of reproductive health services for adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic
October 30th 2024In a recent study, high rates of reproductive health service use were reported among adolescent mothers, indicating the benefits of this model for providing care when other options are unavailable.
Read More
