Soft marker for Downs

Re: Soft marker for Downs

• BabyFS member

  July 2012

  This exact same thing happened to me!  My u/s at the OB's office showed a "bright spot," and I was totally freaked out (even though they explained that it was just a soft marker and didn't mean much on its own).  I went for my full AS at the perinatologists office a week and a half later, and they didn't see anything at all on his heart.  They also said that, with DS and other conditions, they'd expect to see other signs, such as spots on the brain or kidneys or things that would have showed up on my NT scan.  My FIL is a radiologist and says that these bright spots are extremely common and that, up until a few years ago, doctors just didn't have the technology to see them.  Anyway, my advice would be NOT to google it to death like I did.  I made myself crazy for nothing. 

  Congrats on your little boy! 

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• rmaxim

  July 2012

  Did they refer you for a more detailed ultrasound? Every time my Dr has had a question on something he saw in the u/s I've been referred to get another more detailed one at a perinatologist. And luckily, every time it's been nothing. But some u/s machines are better/more capable than others, and on the less detailed ones it can be hard to tell. Getting another u/s might help relieve some of the worry!

  Jude Wayne - Born 4/23/10 Violet Patricia - Born 12/5/12 Breastfeeding, baby-wearing work-at-home mom of 2 living in Rockville, MD

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• jquirke9881 member

  July 2012

  I know how scary it is to hear that.  We also had a soft marker found during our level 2 u/s.  My OB explained it like this:  Just because you have a mole doesn't mean you have skin cancer.... there would be other markers or indications that it needs to be checked out for cancer.... the mole by itself does not usually indicate cancer.  I thought that was a good was to explain it. 

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• SwanRiver27

  July 2012

  Thanks ladies. It is comforting to know that this is a fairly common finding. Just one more little thing to worry about. geeesh. The up side is that I do get to go in for another ultrasound at 20 weeks so Ill get another peek at the little fella.

  

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• choppinbroccoli22 member

  July 2012

  I would try not to worry! That's not a huge increase in chances. If they found nothing else, like... the nasal bone looks normal, etc.... I just wouldn't lose sleep over it! I know you will anyway. OK, real advice? You're just going to have to have an accepting attitude, in the end, if you want to really not worry. :-/
  

  

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