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Blood Test Done For Down Syndrome. Found White Marks On Baby Heart. Risk In Pregnancy?
Question: My daughter in-law is expecting a girl in August. Has pass two blood test for down syndrome. The Dr. has detected two white marking on the baby heart and having her going to a high risk pregnancy docter for an alter sound? XXXXXXX is very up set and I am concern. XXXXXXX is 28 and first pregncy.
Hi XXXXXXX
First you need to know that 'white spots on the fetal heart' can indicate several factors. As you say,the test for Downs Syndrome was negative ,and thats a positive sign since this test has a high sensitivity. A fetal cardiac echo should be done along with a congenital anomaly scan. That will help narrow down the possibilities. White spots may indicate cardiac anomalies as in Downs, but also there may be possibility of other cardiac markers,calcium deposits, or even may be functional. Before panicking, have the tests done by your doctor and follow up as advised. Nowadays most cardiac abnormalities are easily treated in infancy. But its important that the correct diagnosis be made, and regular follow up be done.
First you need to know that 'white spots on the fetal heart' can indicate several factors. As you say,the test for Downs Syndrome was negative ,and thats a positive sign since this test has a high sensitivity. A fetal cardiac echo should be done along with a congenital anomaly scan. That will help narrow down the possibilities. White spots may indicate cardiac anomalies as in Downs, but also there may be possibility of other cardiac markers,calcium deposits, or even may be functional. Before panicking, have the tests done by your doctor and follow up as advised. Nowadays most cardiac abnormalities are easily treated in infancy. But its important that the correct diagnosis be made, and regular follow up be done.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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