Soft Marker at scan

[FunkyMouse]

At my 20 week scan they found a soft marker for downs syndrome. It was an echogenic foci in the right ventrical of my babys heart.

As I'm only 23 when babys born and my triple test came back at 1:5213 they're not going to do any further tests but looking around on the internet it seems that a large number of these babies are born with downs and the info seems scary and confusing.

I've read that my risk could be increased 4 fold from that of my triple test or that no matter what your triple test results, you're chance becomes 1 in 100.

I'm not too keen on the idea of an amnio unless my chnces really are 1 in 100 because I don't want to risk miscarriage but I'd really like to know what my real risk is.

[redcrx]

and this is why i discourage friends from reading too much stuff on google. It can send anyone into a state of panic if they read up on something and cant get the correct advice they need. I did exactly same thing (for different condition) when i was pregnant and eager to learn everything i could.

Were there any other markers? I have no idea what an 'echogenic foci' is but other markers for a baby with downs would be on the nasal bones and the nuchal fold as well usually.

What did the consultant say about the foci? are they concerned in any way (not just for Downs) are they offering more scans later on?

The blood tests will only give an indication of the risk. That doesnt mean to say that if you were a 1 in 5213 chance that your baby would not have downs. Already you have been reading conflicting information on the net of either 1 in 100 or 1 in 1300.

A woman of 40 is usually only offer an amnio test if her results come back at 1 in 50 or less.

Get an appointment to see your midwife asap and then discuss your options further with her. Only an amnio will give you a yes or no result sadly and as you say, there are risks involved.

[redcrx]

Have a read of this thread. It appears that it can be quite common to be spotted on a scan bit the echogenic foci alone is not a cause for concern unless with other markers http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/49/92386

[FunkyMouse]

Thanks. There were no other markers seen on the scan. I'm not sure if they check the nuchal fold at 20 weeks and I din't have a scan at 12 weeks.

I just spoke to a midwife who said I wouldn't have any further scans or tests.