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. CONCLUSION: An association exists between the finding of intracardiac echogenic foci in the fetus and the presence of chromosomal abnormalities.