Chromosomal and cardiac anomalies in fetuses with intracardiac echogenic foci

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of intracardiac echogenic foci (ICEF) and the association between ICEF and chromosomal and cardiac anomalies in Brazilian women.MethodsIn a cross-sectional observational study, 373 of the 23,360 genetic sonograms performed at a private maternal–fetal medicine clinic over 5 years showed intracardiac echogenic foci (ICEF). These 373 sonograms were reviewed for chromosomal and cardiac anomalies and associations were analyzed using the χ2 test or the Fisher exact test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe prevalence of ICEF was 1.7%. Cardiac anomalies were detected in 10 sonograms (2.7%) and chromosomal anomalies in 14 (3.7%). There were cardiac defects in 6 (1.7%) of the 359 euploid fetuses with isolated ICEF. Of the 373 women who had fetuses with ICEF, 295 were younger than 35 years and 78 were 35 years or older. There were 6 fetuses (2.1%) with aneuploidy in the younger group and 8 (10.3%) in the older group.ConclusionThe prevalence of ICEF was 1.7%, and there was an association between cardiac and chromosomal anomalies. Women carrying fetuses with ICEF should be offered fetal echocardiography and karyotyping.