EIF scare on anatomy scan

taralroberts · September 2015

my husband and I were so excited to find out the gender of our first baby yesterday at our 20w anatomy scan. The tech said everything looked great and when we got with our dr she said there was one "bright white spot" on the heart called an echogenic intracardiac focus that they sometimes worry about. She said this can be a marker for Down syndrome. We have previously had all the blood work done which came back normal, we have no risk factors (I'm 25, no family histories), and there were no other "markers" found on our scan. She said to not worry about it, but how can we not? Any other moms experience this before? My husband and I can't stop worrying. We were on cloud 9 after the scan with the tech then felt like we got hit with a load of bricks...

Myelhsa · September 2015

I haven't experience this before but just wanted to say I'm sorry that you're in this situation. I would be a nervous wreck too, but try to find some comfort in knowing that your doctor isn't too concerned.

Did they say when they'd bring you back to check on it or what your options are?

My T & P are with you during this scary time.

kaym6 · September 2015

First of all, congrats on your healthy little babe! I had the same exact thing happen to me when I had my anatomy scan. I am also young (24) with no family history of down syndrome. Earlier in the pregnancy I also had genetic testing blood work done which also came back normal. During my anatomy scan they said everything looked great however they did see an EIF. The doctor also told me not to worry which of course I started doing right away! Haha basically from my understanding and don't quote me. Commonly babies with down syndrome will show multiple soft markers one of them being an EIF but just because a baby has an EIF doesn't automatically mean they have down syndrome. If a baby has an EIF with no other markers and no other risk factors that it is considered a normal finding! I was also told that they frequently go away on their own and my OB said that in his entire career he has never seen a baby with just an EIF born with any complications! I remember the day after my appt being really upset as I started to think about it more but it'll get better and just keep reminding yourself that the doctor (and my doctor) said it is no cause for concern!

reishia · September 2015

We found out our baby boy has EIF and enlarged kidneys at 22weeks. So we were told there is an increased chance of Down syndrome. With me only being 27 i was told it lowers the risk but I cried my eyes out yesterday and when my hubby left for work I broke down. I have been reading a lot and I have seen a lot of people say it's very common for boys to have enlarged kidneys and it goes away as they grow. And the EIF is usually gone by the 3rd trimester. I also read stories from people saying their baby had 4 markers for Down syndrome and they have very healthy babies with out downs. We know our son will be loved either way but it still worries me.

hailees · September 2015

Sorry you are going through this! I am in the exact same boat. After having a 2nd ultrasound with a maternal fetal specialist, we were told that despite the EIF, we have 0 increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities because we have no other markers for downs or trisomy. Based on those results, my doctors won't be doing any follow up on this because they believe it is a non-issue that will resolve itself.

From what I understand, an EIF alone is not a marker for chromosomal abnormalities. It is only considered a "soft" marker if there are other markers present.

The maternal fetal specialist told me that this isn't something that will come up after birth either. For instance, this isn't something you'd have to ever tell a pediatrician about. Do you have a follow up u/s?

My best advice is to listen to whatever your doctors are telling you and to get off Dr. Google!!! Don't let this small bump in the road steal the joy you have from your precious LO!! Focus on the good, happy, and exciting parts. Praying for you!

claireloSC · September 2015

Your odds of downs are still really low, like 1 in 800. I know it's scary but with no other markers it's highly likely that your wee one is ok! Good luck, try not to worry too much.

ETA 1 in 800 depends on your age and some other factors, that's not necessarily 100% accurate but it will be something along those lines assuming you're late 20s/early 30s.

BarrettJ89 · September 2015

My baby has one as well. My blood work came back absolutely perfect (they accidentally tested for Down Syndrome twice). The white spot is on the main valve to her heart. My doctor reassured us not to worry about it, but to go to a high risk doctor for another ultrasound/second opinion. He told us under no circumstances should we Google it; it would only worry us. We got in with the high risk doctor a week later and it turned out to be nothing of importance. He thinks it may be a small calcium build up that will likely be gone before she's even born.

ultln9562 · September 2015

Same here! I'm 27 & we were told about a EIF at our scan as well. We were told about the potential Down syndrome factor however I was tested early which determined that it is not likely that the LO would have it. No other markers as well and doc said it usually disappears as preg progresses. Don't stress about it, everything will be fine!

missperky · September 2015

This showed up on one of my sister's scan. She's in Germany and apparently the standard of care is to do u/s every appointment even for low risk women or who ever she is seeing does it every appointment. She came back to the states for my other sister's wedding and consulted with a specialist. The EIF was not found. What she was told sometimes these spots show up if you focus on one spot for too or something to that effect wish I could remember the exact wording. The EIF hasn't reappeared and she's had probably 4 U/S since then.

Knottie1428945922 · September 2015

The doctor at my level 2 follow up ultrasound told me to go home and forget this ever happened, and I surely have!! 20% of babies with downs have this calcium deposit, and 30% of Asians do. By my logic, I'm more likely to have an Asian baby.

linzetti · September 2015

I am a STM and I had an EIF with my first on my 20 week scan. Blood work was all normal and everything was good other than that. By the 28 week scan (I am high risk because of a cardiac condition I have, scan at 28 weeks is normal for me), it was gone. I have a beautiful normal healthy 18 month old now.

Completely forgot he had an EIF until I saw this post.

TinyDancer51510 · September 2015

I'd be worried too but I hope you find some reassurance from these other ladies stories. I'm sure your baby will be just fine. :-)

erincjackson · September 2015

They found an EIF at our 22 week sono and she has a 2 vessel cord both of which are soft markers for downs. Fortunately we had testing done when they found the SUA and baby is low risk for any chromosomal abnormalities. So stay positive and off Dr. Google and as most ladies have already mentioned it is usually something that goes away during pregnancy.

aupton313 · September 2015

We were also informed of an EIF at our 20 week scan! I was an emotional wreck when told. I couldn't help but think it was my fault, that I did something wrong even though our doctor told us not to worry and that it's common and that she just wants to keep a close eye on it! We have another ultrasound in a few weeks to check on it and see if it's beginning to go away!

rah938 · September 2015

Both of my boys had EIF on 20 week anatomy scan and both were born with no heart defect or Downs. It occurs in up to 5% of "normal" fetuses. If it was the only thing noted, I wouldn't worry.
My second son does have mitochondrial disease. I couldn't love him more. You'll worry about a million things that can happen, but most won't, so try to focus on the positive. I'm now pregnant with twin girls and have been telling myself the same over and over! It's hard as a momma!

brod20 · September 2015

We just had our scan today and were told our son has an EIF as well. We were told not to worry because our Harmony test came back low risk for Down's syndrome. We go back for a follow up ultrasound in 4 weeks.

kaym6 · September 2015

I was told my boy had EIF at 20 week US went for follow up at 24 weeks earlier this week and although it's still there since it's still the same size and not getting larger they still told me it's nothing to be concerned about at all! Try not to worry! I need to take my own advice! Haha

ashin121 · September 2015

I was told my baby had EIF too but we already did all the genetic testing because we had a chromosomal abnormality scare at our NT ultrasound because they didn't find a nasal bone/bridge. All our tests came back negative for trisomy 13,18 and 21 so my obgyn and I are not worried.

I've had friends who had the same scare and all their kids are perfectly healthy. Their genetic screenings also came back negative.

If you're worried, get genetic screening done to rule out chromosomal abnormalities.

It definitely makes me not worried at all knowing it's all negative,

CBWifey · September 2015

Just saw this on my latest ultrasound at 22 w +6 days. No other bloodwork shows abnormal results, so I was told not to worry. I'm going to try not to! It's nice to read the reassuring stories above.

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